The Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to the Affordable Care Act on Thursday in a decision that will leave the law intact and save health care for millions of Americans Studio: Bleacher Report AOL

Health Insurance 101: HSA vs. FSA Studio: Wochit Spanish

Obamacare , Survives Latest Supreme Court Challenge. Obamacare , Survives Latest Supreme Court Challenge. On June 17, the Affordable Care Act was kept alive by a 7-2 vote. The suit was brought on.. Studio: Wibbitz Top Stories

CNN’s John Avlon looks at the many hurdles that the Affordable Care Act has had to overcome. Despite all the attempts to repeal it, the latest Supreme Court ruling saved it again, the ACA remains the.. Studio: Bleacher Report AOL

Officials are urging residents to sign up for health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector. Studio: WCVB

Officials are urging residents to sign up for health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector. Studio: WCVB

The Supreme Court has knocked out yet another Republican effort to invalidate the Affordable Care Act, but that doesn’t mean the political fight over Obamacare is finished. In the latest episode of.. Studio: Bleacher Report AOL

Health Insurance 101: What Is a Deductible? Studio: Wochit Spanish

Health Insurance PPO Plan Studio: Wochit Spanish

"I was about as ill as I'd ever want to get", says Michael Sheen of his battle with Covid-19 in the United States, an experience he says made him acutely aware how fortunate people in the UK are to.. Studio: PA - Press Association STUDIO

Health Insurance 101: HSA vs. FSA Studio: Wochit Spanish

Health Insurance 101: Medicaid vs. Medicare Studio: Wochit Spanish

Commissioned by Vida Health and conducted by OnePoll, a study found that employees no longer really care for catered breakfasts or happy hours, they want something more enticing to return to the.. Studio: Buzz60

((SL Advertiser)) Aflac talks about the importance of men's health. For more information, go to Aflac.com/MensHealth Studio: ABC15 Arizona

Traveling abroad may come with an extra cost depending on where you're going. Some countries are now requiring the purchase of travel health insurance. Studio: WXYZ Detroit

Studio: WKBW Buffalo

TikTok user explains why fat-shaming and 'skinny-shaming' are not the same.TikTok user @umbersaiyan addressed a common dispute on the platform — why "skinny-shaming" is not the same as.. Studio: In The Know Wibbitz

Jaunita Freeman had great insurance that paid her $491 monthly prescription bill. Then Cigna stopped paying, and phone calls with every involved party — some at the same time — didn’t help. Studio: WDAF

*Proud to be Aligned with a Proprietary Prescription Drug Benefits Powerhouse As We Begin Our Roll Out To Their Distribution Base*

*MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2021* / Novus Acquisition and Development, Corp. (OTC PINK:NDEV), through its wholly-owned subsidiary WCIG Insurance Services, LLC., is a hybrid health insurance entity and, the nation's first carrier offering cannabis health plans to recreational and medicinal users, is pleased to announce that it has finalized its partnership deal with PRAM to distribute, facilitate, and market the cannabis benefits package across the country.

PRAM, based in Brea, CA, is a leading pharmacy consulting and underwriting firm. The two companies working together will play a key role in the future of applying cannabis to American health plans as the United States approaches full federal legalization.

Novus is proud to have come to terms with PRAM and its 32+ years of experience as a proprietary prescription Drug Benefits Consulting and Managing General Underwriter company that provides pharmacy cost containment in the marketplace. Their primary focus is:

· *Employer Groups*: PRAM's client base of organizations that focus on pairing PRAM's pharmacy benefit programs alongside medical and ancillary products include distribution partners, consultants, brokers, agents, and insurance carriers across the country.
· *Insurance Carriers + Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)*: PRAM designs cost savings pharmacy programs by coordinating insurance carriers and PBMs in an effort to help clients manage pharmacy risk. As a fundamental process, PRAM's focus is to create, underwrite, manage, and market prescription drug insurance programs. These plans are advantageously paired with limited medical, short-term medical, and GAP plans. The most beneficial element to these plans is that they are guaranteed issue and ready to take to market. PRAM has many other custom product offerings in the pharmacy space aimed at saving money and creating healthier populations.
· Plan Design Choices: PRAM intends to customize the Novus cannabis offering by tailoring formularies, copays, deductibles, specialty drug coverage, and specific drug inclusions or exclusions to best benefit the member experience.

Lisa Collier, CEO of PRAM, states: "Such innovation is at the core of PRAM's growth strategies and benefit design goals, so we are thrilled to be a part of a program that screams forward-thinking. National legalization is coming, and we'd rather be leading the dispensary network discount initiative than lagging behind it."

Frank Labrozzi, CEO of Novus, states: "It is of critical importance in business to foresee coming events. Our mission is to have the right alliance in preparation for that change. PRAM will provide that company partnership necessary for opening doors that once were challenges."

*Alignment Competitive Advantages*:

With the PRAM alliance, Novus is positioned to play a greater role in the future in the following areas:

· More doctors will recommend medical cannabis as participation in reducing opiate prescriptions.
· Take the stigma out of cannabis in the workplace with precedence set in the New Jersey Supreme Court, that ruled, under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination ("LAD"), employees who legally use cannabis as permitted by the state's Compassionate Use of Cannabis of Medical Marijuana Act^[i]may not be fired.
· Ending prohibitions we could see a dramatic increase in our Provider Network where the big box and boutique retailers will likely sell pre-packaged cannabis in smokable and edible forms.

As Washington has to make up for a $6 Trillion dispersal of money in the past 18 months, there has never been a more critical time to legalize cannabis. More importantly, by ending prohibition of cannabis we will see med and rec users encouragingly help support our economy as they choose to have cannabis as a part of health insurance benefits.

*Research Novus Now:*

· *Financial Filings:* Click Here
· *Quote: *Click Here
· Website: Click Here
· Investor's Page: Click Here

*About PRAM*

PRAM Insurance Services, Inc. was founded in 1989 by David P. Wilson. Dave has been in the insurance industry for over 40 years, and he has focused exclusively on prescription drug benefits since the beginning of PRAM when he identified a unique need for pharmacy cost containment in the marketplace.

For additional information on PRAM, please visit https://pram.com.

*About Novus*

Novus Acquisition & Development Corp. (NDEV), through its subsidiary WCIG Insurance, provides health insurance and related insurance solutions within the wellness and medical marijuana industries in states where legal programs exist. Novus has developed its infrastructure within many lines of the insurance business such as health, property & casualty, life, accident, and fixed annuities.

Novus' medical cannabis benefits package will work as outside developers and will not cultivate, handle, transport grow, extract, dispense, put up for sale, put on the market, vend, deliver, supply, circulate, or trade cannabis or any substances that violate the United States law or the Controlled Substances Act, nor does it intend to do so in the future and will continue to follow state and federal laws. The statements made about specific products have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. All information provided on these press releases or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. Once a push notification is completed the transaction is solely between the state-licensed dispensary and the registered patient.

The state laws are in conflict with the federal Controlled Substances Act. The current administration has effectively stated that it is not an efficient use of resources to direct federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute those lawfully abiding by state-designated laws, allowing the use and distribution of medical marijuana. However, there is no guarantee that the current administration, nor any future administration, will not change this policy and decide to enforce the federal laws strongly.

Any such change in the federal government's enforcement of current federal laws could cause significant financial changes to Novus Medical Group. While we do not intend to harvest, distribute or sell cannabis or cannabis-related products, we may be harmed by a change in enforcement by federal or state governments.

*Forward-Looking Statements*

This release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and reflect management's current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of these factors include: general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; increasing competition; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of services; changes in the economy; changes in laws and regulations, includes codes and standards, intellectual property rights, and tax matters; or other matters not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. Membership and providers may change, become inactive, or nonpaying from time to time. Novus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Investor Contact Information
855-228-7355
Email: info@getnovusnow.com

*SOURCE:* Novus Acquisition and Development Corporation
View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/655983/Novus-Signs-Partnership-With-PRAM-a-Leading-Pharmacy-Consulting-and-Underwriting-Firm

Hundreds of businesses use Roundstone as their health insurance provider, saving an average of 20% annually over the past decade, the company said.

The Dix Hills man pleaded guilty to stealing more than $132,000 by submitting hundreds of false claims to the health insurance provider for state employees under his wife's name for services that were never provided, officials said.

The MHPAEA provisions of the CAA became effective February 10, 2021 and added a requirement for group health plans and health insurance issuers to prepare an analysis demonstrating compliance with MHPAEA's NQTL requirements.

Braxia Scientific Corp (CSE:BRAX) (OTCMKTS:BRAXF) announced that its ketamine treatment clinic will offer direct billing insurance to qualifying Canadian military veterans. The Toronto-based company said it had established direct billing practices with Medavie Blue Cross, a health insurance provider, that will cover 100% of the costs of ketamine treatments at Braxia’s Canadian Rapid Treatment Centre of Excellence (CRTCE). The insurance coverage will also extend to veterans’ family members, according to Braxia. READ: Braxia Scientific launches clinical training program for medical professionals interested in psilocybin-assisted therapy Included in the agreement are members of Canada’s national police force the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Military veterans can be especially susceptible to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to government statistics provided by Braxia, nearly 16% of full-time Canadian Armed Forces personnel experience depression at some point in their lives, while more than 11% reported symptoms of PTSD. The condition may also show as more severe, chronic and less treatable by conventional methods, according to Braxia. "We are grateful for this insurance coverage, which has facilitated access for Canadian veterans to receive this important treatment," said Roger McIntyre, Braxia’s CEO, in a statement. McIntyre noted that the CRTCE clinics have already seen an increase in bookings. "Many veterans struggle with depression, PTSD and suicidal thoughts. Unfortunately, conventional treatments are often ineffective or only partially effective in persons who live with these conditions, leaving many suffering with persistent symptoms and impaired function," he added. Braxia’s chief medical and scientific officer Josh Rosenblatt said that the company is specifically tracking symptoms of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and PTSD in its veteran patients and plans to publish results in the coming months. CEO McIntyre added that current evidence indicates that ketamine is capable of “rapid and significant attenuation of suicidality in persons affected by depression and represents an important treatment avenue for persons with suicidal thoughts and behaviour." Braxia’s CRTCE clinics are located in Mississauga, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas

Braxia Scientific Corp (CSE:BRAX) (OTCMKTS:BRAXF) announced that its ketamine treatment clinic will offer direct billing insurance to qualifying Canadian military veterans. The Toronto-based company said it had established direct billing practices with Medavie Blue Cross, a health insurance provider, that will cover 100% of the costs of ketamine treatments at Braxia’s Canadian Rapid Treatment Centre of Excellence (CRTCE). The insurance coverage will also extend to veterans’ family members. Renforth Resources Inc (CSE:RFR) (OTCPINK:RFHRF) (FRA:9RR) has announced the completion of a four-hole drill program at the 5 kilometre (km) long nickel, copper and zinc mineralized Victoria West target on its wholly-owned Surimeau District battery metals project in Quebec, encountering visible nickel within a vein at a depth of about 139 metres (m). The company said the occurrence is the highest concentration of visible nickel discovered in drilling at Victoria West, following the highest concentration of visible copper intersected to date seen in the first hole of the program. “The visible pentlandite in the second hole of our just completed program, along with the visible copper in the first hole, which was pictured in our last press release, is exciting to me as it is occurring as we drill deeper that we have before at Surimeau,” Renforth Resources CEO Nicole Brewster said in a statement. Fobi AI Inc (CVE:FOBI) (OTCQB:FOBIF) announced a new deal with global event and experience marketing agency GPJ to use its Wallet pass solution for one of the agency’s global enterprise clients. The technology company said Wallet Pass will be used to develop a custom event management system, including ticketing and booking functionality, for GPJ’s client INEOS, which is marketing its Grenadier 4x4 vehicle at roadshow events in various countries. In a statement, Fobi said that INEOS needed a solution that would allow drivers to book test drives of the new 4x4.  LexaGene Holdings Inc (OTCQB:LXXGF) (CVE:LXG) said that it has successfully utilized its MiQLab System to detect the presence of mycoplasmas, a group of common microbial contaminants responsible for substantial losses in both time and money for biopharmaceutical manufacturers. In a statement, LexaGene founder CEO Dr Jack Regan said: “We are increasingly harnessing the power of our MiQLab to drastically shorten the time-to-result for microbial biopharmaceutical contamination detection. Last month, LexaGene announced it could detect Cutibacterium acnes 36 to 168 times faster than conventional methods.“ Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ:VUZI) announced a new order from Canadian company TeleVU Innovation for its M400 Smart Glasses. TeleVU is a supplier of user-friendly communications solutions for smart glasses that enable an audio-visual link between frontline clinicians and remote experts. According to Vuzix, the TeleVU solution consists of iSee, the support portal app, and smart glasses equipped with the uSee app, which enables remote medical assistance. LQwD FinTech Corp. (CVE:LQWD) (OTCMKTS:INLAF) has announced the appointment of Lightning Network experts Joost Jager and Roy Sheinfeld as advisors to the company, effective immediately. In a statement, Shone Anstey, chairman and CEO of the company, commented: "We are very excited to have Joost and Roy join our team at this very timely stage in LQwD's growth. They are both consummate professionals whose prudence and broad technical insight will be of great benefit to LQwD as we advance our business in the Lightning Network space." Contakt World Technologies Corp. (CSE:HELP) (OTCMKTS:TLOOF) (FRA:B2I) has announced the retention of biotech and pharmaceutical leader Sid Senroy as a member of its board of directors, as special advisor to its Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) Justin Beck, and as commercial advisor for international markets. The leading regulatory affairs and compliance firm owned by Senroy, RegDev, has also been retained by Contakt World to develop supply chains for disease testing. In a statement, Beck commented: "We are humbled to have Mr. Senroy, an icon and visionary who has helped achieve regulatory approval for pharmaceuticals with more than $30B in annual sales, join us in several capacities." ImagineAR Inc (CSE:IP) (OTCQB:IPNFF) said Jake Parks joined the company as a sports and entertainment product advisor to the CEO. Prior to arriving at ImagineAR, Parks spent 11 years at Adidas recruiting and managing relationships with the company's roster of elite NFL athletes. He was also responsible for developing and implementing integrated marketing plans for athletes including in-home and out-of-home advertising, social media campaigns, athlete appearances, and commercial shoots.  During Parks’ time at Adidas, the athlete roster included Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Von Miller, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Deandre Hopkins, Tyler Lockett and Bradley Chubb. American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) said it has appointed ‘seasoned executive’ Jeff Peterson as a senior member to the company's American Rare Earth division. In his role, Peterson will focus on the deployment and commercialization of American Resources’ Rare Earth division's processing, isolation and purification technology suite, as well as broadening the supply of certain critical and rare earth element feedstocks. With nearly 20 years of experience in operations, engineering, sales, and product development, Peterson began his career as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy serving onboard nuclear-powered submarines. TRACON Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:TCON) said it has appointed Dr Brenda Marczi as its senior vice president, Regulatory Affairs. In her new role Dr Marczi brings more than three decades of regulatory affairs experience to TRACON. Previously Marczi served as vice president, regulatory affairs at Ferring Pharmaceuticals where she was responsible for all US regulatory activities, including the launch and commercialization activities for the breakthrough designation gene therapy product for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. She also held senior roles at Eagle Pharmaceuticals and Berlex - now Bayer AG - where she oversaw the filing of multiple successful new drug applications. Biocept Inc (NASDAQ:BIOC) (FRA:B003) has expanded its board of directors to nine members from seven and named director since 2020 Samuel D Riccitelli as the company's new chairman as the diagnostics group builds on recent momentum. Experienced financial executives Linda Rubinstein and Antonino Morales become new directors with immediate effect. Meanwhile, Riccitelli succeeds long-time chair David Hale and interim Chair M Faye Wilson, both of whom remain directors, noted Biocept. Riccitelli, who has over 35 years' of healthcare industry experience, said he was "honored" by the appointment. XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE:XPHY ) (OTCQB:XPHYF) (FRA:4XT) said it has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Germany-based 3a-diagnostics GmbH, which will become its exclusive diagnostics development partner. The Vancouver-based next-generation bioscience accelerator will acquire all the outstanding shares of 3a for 400,000 euros (US$471,260) to be paid immediately, plus 3.5 million euros (US$4,1million) to be paid on closing, which is likely to happen on or around October 31, 2021. In a statement, XPhyto CEO Hugh Rogers said: "We have collaborated closely with the 3a-diagnostics team on several diagnostics products and have found them to be a highly innovative and focused partner.” Versus Systems Inc (NASDAQ:VS) (FRA:BMVB) has announced that the company will be powering live in-stadium experiences for the inaugural season of The Hundred, a new 100-ball cricket tournament involving eight men's and women's teams located in major cities across England and Wales. The Hundred run by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) begins play on July 21, 2021.Following their continued work with US-based sports leagues like the NHL and MLB, Versus is partnering with London, UK-based Progress Productions to enhance the in-stadium experience for fans attending home matches for The Hundred’s eight teams. Empower Clinics Inc (CSE:CBDT) (OTCPINK:EPWCF) (FRA:8EC) has announced a tie-up with healthcare tech group Tabula Rasa HealthCare Inc (TRHC) (NASDAQ:TRHC) to offer home testing services, which should help curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Tabula Rasa will provide call center services for Empower's diagnostic laboratory Kai Care's COVID-19 and Influenza A/B at-home salvia test kit. "As flu season starts to pick up, differentiating COVID (and the potential strain variations) from flu will be immensely important, and potentially save lives," the CEO of Empower, Steven McAuley, told investors in a statement. Aurelius Minerals Inc (CVE:AUL) (OTCMKTS:AURQF) (FRA:1GA) said it had recently completed two advanced exploration programs at its wholly-owned Nova Scotia gold projects, which will help its drill targeting efforts. A high-resolution 1,130 line kilometres helicopter geophysical survey was flown along the gold-rich Meguma formation with line spacing at 75 metres in three distinct blocks; one over the Aureus East and West projects, one over the Tangier project and the third over the company's Forest Hill project. The second study was a high precision borehole optical televiewer program at the firm's Aureus East and West projects. Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:GMBL) (NASDAQ:GMBLW) has provided an update on the rollout of ggCircuit's crypto mining application for LAN centers. The crypto mining application is an add-on to the ggLeap subscription offering that enables center owners to utilize idle computing power to mine for Ethereum by opting into the initiative with the click of a button. Since launching in beta in early May, over 100 centers have opted in and mined a total of more than $250,0000 of Ethereum. "The crypto mining application has exceeded our expectations so far in terms of center participation as well as revenue," commented Grant Johnson, CEO of Esports Entertainment in a statement. Silver Range Resources Ltd (CVE:SNG) (OTCMKTS:SLRRF) (FRA:8SR) said it has received the results from an extensive exploration effort at its Silver Mountain property in Nevada. Through the program, which ran from March through June, Silver Range was able to stake two new projects, complete reconnaissance work near the Gold Chief property, as well as the recently expanded Steptoe project; and conduct exploration programs at the Strongbox property and the Cambridge project. The precious metals company is a prospect generator working in Nevada and Northern Canada. To date, Silver Range has assembled a portfolio of 47 properties, of which nine are currently under option to others and three have been converted to royalty interests.  Willow Biosciences Inc (TSE:WLLW) (OTCQX:CANSF) has said it is boosting its commercial operations and R&D teams as the company starts to commercialize its biosynthetically-produced cannabinoids. The firm has scaled up its lead program, cannabigerol (CBG) to start manufacturing the highly valuable and rare cannabinoid at a commercial level. Willow told investors that its R&D teams are now focusing on developing cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) programs for commercial manufacture, and is looking at harvesting other rare cannabinoids such as cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and Cannabinol (CBN). Gatling Exploration Inc (CVE:GTR) (OTCQB:GATGF) (FRA:G28A) said it has signed an exploration agreement with the Matachewan and Wahgoshig First Nations for continued cooperation as the Larder gold project in the Abitibi continues to advance. "This major milestone for Gatling marks the culmination of more than two years of relationship building and discussions between the company and the Matachewan and Wahgoshig First Nations, and sets forth a solid foundation for continued cooperation as the Larder project advances further along the value chain," Jason Billan, Gatling’s CEO said in a statement. Nextleaf Solutions Ltd (CSE:OILS) (OTCQB:OILFF) (FRA:L0MA) said it has signed a supply agreement with the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) for the sale and distribution of Nextleaf's prohibition-era brand, Glacial Gold cannabis oils and branded products. As an innovative cannabis processor British Columbia-based Nextleaf Solutions owns one of the largest portfolios of US patents for the extraction, distillation and delivery of cannabinoids. The company supplies cannabis oils to its wholesale customers and distributes consumer products under its award-winning, Glacial Gold brand.  Under the supply agreement, Nextleaf's wholly-owned subsidiary Nextleaf Labs Ltd will supply the BCLDB with large format THC and CBD ingestible oils, and vape cartridges produced at the cannabis company’s processing facility in Greater Vancouver.  Real Luck Group Ltd (CVE:LUCK) (OTCQB:LUKEF) and its subsidiary companies doing business as Luckbox, announced a strategic partnership with Aspire Global PLC's (STO:ASPIRE) (OTCMKTS:ASPGF) BtoBet. The partnership is a key component of broadening the company's platform and will add casino games to the Luckbox platform, as well as BtoBet's comprehensive sportsbook solution, including esports. In a statement, Real Luck Group CEO Thomas Rosander said: "BtoBet's industry-leading sportsbook solutions are key to building and improving the Luckbox product and betting offer by allowing customers to bet on traditional and an extended range esports events Recruiter.com Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:RCRT) (NASDAQ:RCRTW) revealed that it has surpassed 30,000 recruiters in its on-demand network. "With over 200 recruiters currently on assignment with our clients, we have seen rapid adoption of our on-demand model, which gives employers on-tap recruiters when they need help hiring," said Evan Sohn, CEO of Recruiter.com in a statement. "We look forward to continuing to increase our percentage of engaged and on-assignment recruiters as Recruiter.com grows its client base and opens new verticals. Now with over 30,000 recruiters and equipped with powerful artificial intelligence (AI) sourcing tools, we help employers recruit talent faster and better," he added. CO2 GRO Inc. (CVE:GROW) (OTCQB:BLONF) (FRA:4021) has announced the commercial feasibility of a CO2 Delivery Solutions system at a Quebec indoor micro cultivation facility. The company noted that the customer's facility has flower grow rooms with vertical wall racks that produce high quality, high yield and low-cost cannabis products. The commercial feasibility will occur in a vegetative grow room and in a separate flowering grow room. Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ:PHUN) said it has closed its third pediatric Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform licensing win for a patient-centric, digital front door mobile application portfolio with one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems. As one of the largest freestanding pediatric health systems in the United States, including a headquarters based in the Southwest region of the country, digital transformation and innovation is a central cornerstone of the customer’s strategy to enhance their patient and visitor experience for children, all while optimizing the utilization of their available resources for improved financial performance and better clinical outcomes. “We are honored to provide our tech-enabled, mobile-first capabilities optimized for healthcare so that parents and staff can focus more of their attention on the children under their care,” said Alan S. Knitowski, president, CEO and co-founder of Phunware in a statement. Vox Royalty Corp (CVE:VOX) (OTCMKTS:VOXCF) has noted that its royalty partner Thor Explorations Ltd (CVE:THX) (LON:THX) (OTCMKTS:THXPF) (FRA:T2X) has begun commissioning its gold processing plant at the Segilola gold project in Nigeria and will pour the first gold bar there before the end of the month. Vox Royalty, which has a 1.5% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on all products mined from the property, estimates it will receive pre-tax royalty revenues of C$4.4 million within the first two full years of production. "Based on production guidance from Thor, we expect that this royalty has the potential to generate revenue almost five times Vox's initial investment of C$900,000 within a span of three years,” Vox Royalty executive vice president of corporate development Simon Cooper said in a statement. Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:RKDA) has named Laura Pitlik its chief marketing officer, as the company expands its consumer goods platforms following several key acquisitions. A veteran consumer packaged goods strategist, the company said Pitlik will spearhead brand development and omnichannel marketing activities for Arcadia's portfolio of consumer nutrition, health and wellness brands. She will also lead the company's go-to-market strategies for the e-commerce, retail and food service channels. Mindset Pharma Inc (CSE:MSET) (OTCQB:MSSTF) (FRA:9DF) has announced the appointment of Dr Ishrat Husain to the company’s scientific advisory board. Mindset said Dr Husain will provide strategic guidance as the company develops a regulatory pathway for its novel psychedelic-based therapeutics to receive US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and eventually offer relief to patients suffering from mental illness.  Nextech AR Solutions Corp. (OTCQB:NEXCF) (NEO:NTAR) (CSE:NTAR) (FRAN29) has announced that Evan Gappelberg, the company's CEO-founder and Paul Duffy, its president and chairman of the board will present and have a live Q&A session with investors, hosted by Proactive’s Steve Darling on July 20, 2021, at 11.30am Eastern Time (US and Canada). To join the webinar, investors can use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/94099243779?pwd=OHJDYkNvT2JaaUJwUUdpOGJMdFV6QT09; Passcode: 639712; Dial-in numbers are: New York +1-646-876-9923; California +1-669-900-6833/ +1-408-638-0968; Washington +1-253-215-8782; Maryland +1-301-715-8592; Chicago +1-312-626-6799; Texas +1-346-248-7799/ +1-940-992-43779; Webinar ID: 940 9924 3779. International numbers are available via: https://zoom.us/u/abSz4tVT1w PsyBio Therapeutics Corp. (CVE:PSYB) (OTCQB:PSYBF) has announced that Evan Levine, its chief executive officer and director, and Dr Michael Spigarelli, its chief medical officer, are scheduled to participate in a fireside chat moderated by David Sherman, LifeSci Partners Senior Research Analyst and Head of Research, at the LifeSci Partners Private Summer Symposium on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at 1.30pm ET. Registration and Webcast details are available via the following link: https://web.cvent.com/event/95bbbf1d-cbdc-4941-af8e-6c7f4f5249a2/regProcessStep1:5488f9e6-e8a5-4c1a-a555-fbf5bcaa5644 Genprex, Inc. (NASDAQ:GNPX) has announced that its president and chief executive officer, Rodney Varner, will be participating in a webinar series with CEO Roadshow to provide a company overview to investors on a monthly basis from July through September 2021. The specific dates are: Wednesday, July 21 at 12pm EDT; Wednesday, August 18 at 11am EDT; and Wednesday, September 22 at 11 am EDT. The Webinars are be accessed via the following link: https://bit.ly/3eoHeie. The company said Varner will be available for questions following each company presentation. The webinars will be recorded and available for replay on Genprex’s website for a period of time. Replays will also be available on CEORoadshow.com following each webinar. Kodiak Copper Corp. (CVE:KDK) has announced that its common shares are now eligible for book-entry and depository services of the Depository Trust Company (DTC), to facilitate electronic clearing and settlement of transfers in the United States. Kodiak currently trades on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol KDKCF. Claudia Tornquist, Kodiak's CEO commented: "We are pleased to have received DTC eligibility to facilitate the trading, and efficient electronic transfer, of our common shares for U.S. investors and brokerage firms. This will allow for faster execution of trades and improved liquidity of our common shares and will help to broaden our US investors base. AgraFlora Organics International Inc.  (CSE:AGRA) (FRA:PU31) (OTCPINK:AGFAF) said its board of directors has approved the settlement of amounts owing for services rendered through the issuance of common shares. Under the debt settlement, the company issued an aggregate amount of 803,783 shares at a deemed price of $0.05 per share. All shares issued will be subject to a minimum hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. Electric Royalties Ltd (CVE:ELEC) said the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to its non-brokered private placement announced May 5, 2021, which will see the issue of 5 million shares at a purchase price of 40 cents per share, together with 5 million share purchase warrants with an exercise price of 60 cents for a two-year period with 36 placees.

Levitee Labs Inc has received final approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange to list its common shares. At the opening of the market on July 21, the common shares of Levitee will begin trading under the ticker symbol “LVT.” Levitee is a functional mushrooms company focused on the development and sale of high potency mushroom extract nutraceuticals and supplies and equipment for mushroom cultivation. To date, the company added it has raised in excess of C$12 million in outside funding. Arizona Silver Exploration Inc (CVE:AZS) (OTCMKTS:AZASF) announced it had uncovered a new high-grade gold-silver vein within a thick mineralized zone on the Perry vein at its Philadelphia property in Arizona. The company said that drilling intersected “thick” zones of gold-silver mineralization in all 15 holes drilled at the property.  TechX Technologies Inc (CSE: TECX) (OTCMKTS: TECXF) (FRA: C0B1), a technology driven company making traditional finance accessible through compliant digital payment infrastructure and digital asset management technologies, has confirmed the date for the name and symbol change, as announced on July 15, 2021. The recent acquisition of Mobilum OU will allow for the integration of additional product features in the Company's technology and platform.  The name change is part of a rebranding effort to better represent the overall business activities of the company and its technology.  Effective at the opening on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, the shares of the company will commence trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the name "Mobilum Technologies Inc." and stock symbol "MBLM". Braxia Scientific Corp (CSE:BRAX) (OTCMKTS:BRAXF) announced that its ketamine treatment clinic will offer direct billing insurance to qualifying Canadian military veterans. The Toronto-based company said it had established direct billing practices with Medavie Blue Cross, a health insurance provider, that will cover 100% of the costs of ketamine treatments at Braxia’s Canadian Rapid Treatment Centre of Excellence (CRTCE). The insurance coverage will also extend to veterans’ family members. Renforth Resources Inc (CSE:RFR) (OTCPINK:RFHRF) (FRA:9RR) has announced the completion of a four-hole drill program at the 5 kilometre (km) long nickel, copper and zinc mineralized Victoria West target on its wholly-owned Surimeau District battery metals project in Quebec, encountering visible nickel within a vein at a depth of about 139 metres (m). The company said the occurrence is the highest concentration of visible nickel discovered in drilling at Victoria West, following the highest concentration of visible copper intersected to date seen in the first hole of the program. “The visible pentlandite in the second hole of our just completed program, along with the visible copper in the first hole, which was pictured in our last press release, is exciting to me as it is occurring as we drill deeper that we have before at Surimeau,” Renforth Resources CEO Nicole Brewster said in a statement. Fobi AI Inc (CVE:FOBI) (OTCQB:FOBIF) announced a new deal with global event and experience marketing agency GPJ to use its Wallet pass solution for one of the agency’s global enterprise clients. The technology company said Wallet Pass will be used to develop a custom event management system, including ticketing and booking functionality, for GPJ’s client INEOS, which is marketing its Grenadier 4x4 vehicle at roadshow events in various countries. In a statement, Fobi said that INEOS needed a solution that would allow drivers to book test drives of the new 4x4.  LexaGene Holdings Inc (OTCQB:LXXGF) (CVE:LXG) said that it has successfully utilized its MiQLab System to detect the presence of mycoplasmas, a group of common microbial contaminants responsible for substantial losses in both time and money for biopharmaceutical manufacturers. In a statement, LexaGene founder CEO Dr Jack Regan said: “We are increasingly harnessing the power of our MiQLab to drastically shorten the time-to-result for microbial biopharmaceutical contamination detection. Last month, LexaGene announced it could detect Cutibacterium acnes 36 to 168 times faster than conventional methods.“ Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ:VUZI) announced a new order from Canadian company TeleVU Innovation for its M400 Smart Glasses. TeleVU is a supplier of user-friendly communications solutions for smart glasses that enable an audio-visual link between frontline clinicians and remote experts. According to Vuzix, the TeleVU solution consists of iSee, the support portal app, and smart glasses equipped with the uSee app, which enables remote medical assistance. LQwD FinTech Corp. (CVE:LQWD) (OTCMKTS:INLAF) has announced the appointment of Lightning Network experts Joost Jager and Roy Sheinfeld as advisors to the company, effective immediately. In a statement, Shone Anstey, chairman and CEO of the company, commented: "We are very excited to have Joost and Roy join our team at this very timely stage in LQwD's growth. They are both consummate professionals whose prudence and broad technical insight will be of great benefit to LQwD as we advance our business in the Lightning Network space." Contakt World Technologies Corp. (CSE:HELP) (OTCMKTS:TLOOF) (FRA:B2I) has announced the retention of biotech and pharmaceutical leader Sid Senroy as a member of its board of directors, as special advisor to its Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) Justin Beck, and as commercial advisor for international markets. The leading regulatory affairs and compliance firm owned by Senroy, RegDev, has also been retained by Contakt World to develop supply chains for disease testing. In a statement, Beck commented: "We are humbled to have Mr. Senroy, an icon and visionary who has helped achieve regulatory approval for pharmaceuticals with more than $30B in annual sales, join us in several capacities." ImagineAR Inc (CSE:IP) (OTCQB:IPNFF) said Jake Parks joined the company as a sports and entertainment product advisor to the CEO. Prior to arriving at ImagineAR, Parks spent 11 years at Adidas recruiting and managing relationships with the company's roster of elite NFL athletes. He was also responsible for developing and implementing integrated marketing plans for athletes including in-home and out-of-home advertising, social media campaigns, athlete appearances, and commercial shoots.  During Parks’ time at Adidas, the athlete roster included Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Von Miller, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Deandre Hopkins, Tyler Lockett and Bradley Chubb. American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) said it has appointed ‘seasoned executive’ Jeff Peterson as a senior member to the company's American Rare Earth division. In his role, Peterson will focus on the deployment and commercialization of American Resources’ Rare Earth division's processing, isolation and purification technology suite, as well as broadening the supply of certain critical and rare earth element feedstocks. With nearly 20 years of experience in operations, engineering, sales, and product development, Peterson began his career as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy serving onboard nuclear-powered submarines. TRACON Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:TCON) said it has appointed Dr Brenda Marczi as its senior vice president, Regulatory Affairs. In her new role Dr Marczi brings more than three decades of regulatory affairs experience to TRACON. Previously Marczi served as vice president, regulatory affairs at Ferring Pharmaceuticals where she was responsible for all US regulatory activities, including the launch and commercialization activities for the breakthrough designation gene therapy product for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. She also held senior roles at Eagle Pharmaceuticals and Berlex - now Bayer AG - where she oversaw the filing of multiple successful new drug applications. Biocept Inc (NASDAQ:BIOC) (FRA:B003) has expanded its board of directors to nine members from seven and named director since 2020 Samuel D Riccitelli as the company's new chairman as the diagnostics group builds on recent momentum. Experienced financial executives Linda Rubinstein and Antonino Morales become new directors with immediate effect. Meanwhile, Riccitelli succeeds long-time chair David Hale and interim Chair M Faye Wilson, both of whom remain directors, noted Biocept. Riccitelli, who has over 35 years' of healthcare industry experience, said he was "honored" by the appointment. XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE:XPHY ) (OTCQB:XPHYF) (FRA:4XT) said it has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Germany-based 3a-diagnostics GmbH, which will become its exclusive diagnostics development partner. The Vancouver-based next-generation bioscience accelerator will acquire all the outstanding shares of 3a for 400,000 euros (US$471,260) to be paid immediately, plus 3.5 million euros (US$4,1million) to be paid on closing, which is likely to happen on or around October 31, 2021. In a statement, XPhyto CEO Hugh Rogers said: "We have collaborated closely with the 3a-diagnostics team on several diagnostics products and have found them to be a highly innovative and focused partner.” Versus Systems Inc (NASDAQ:VS) (FRA:BMVB) has announced that the company will be powering live in-stadium experiences for the inaugural season of The Hundred, a new 100-ball cricket tournament involving eight men's and women's teams located in major cities across England and Wales. The Hundred run by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) begins play on July 21, 2021.Following their continued work with US-based sports leagues like the NHL and MLB, Versus is partnering with London, UK-based Progress Productions to enhance the in-stadium experience for fans attending home matches for The Hundred’s eight teams. Empower Clinics Inc (CSE:CBDT) (OTCPINK:EPWCF) (FRA:8EC) has announced a tie-up with healthcare tech group Tabula Rasa HealthCare Inc (TRHC) (NASDAQ:TRHC) to offer home testing services, which should help curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Tabula Rasa will provide call center services for Empower's diagnostic laboratory Kai Care's COVID-19 and Influenza A/B at-home salvia test kit. "As flu season starts to pick up, differentiating COVID (and the potential strain variations) from flu will be immensely important, and potentially save lives," the CEO of Empower, Steven McAuley, told investors in a statement. Aurelius Minerals Inc (CVE:AUL) (OTCMKTS:AURQF) (FRA:1GA) said it had recently completed two advanced exploration programs at its wholly-owned Nova Scotia gold projects, which will help its drill targeting efforts. A high-resolution 1,130 line kilometres helicopter geophysical survey was flown along the gold-rich Meguma formation with line spacing at 75 metres in three distinct blocks; one over the Aureus East and West projects, one over the Tangier project and the third over the company's Forest Hill project. The second study was a high precision borehole optical televiewer program at the firm's Aureus East and West projects. Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:GMBL) (NASDAQ:GMBLW) has provided an update on the rollout of ggCircuit's crypto mining application for LAN centers. The crypto mining application is an add-on to the ggLeap subscription offering that enables center owners to utilize idle computing power to mine for Ethereum by opting into the initiative with the click of a button. Since launching in beta in early May, over 100 centers have opted in and mined a total of more than $250,0000 of Ethereum. "The crypto mining application has exceeded our expectations so far in terms of center participation as well as revenue," commented Grant Johnson, CEO of Esports Entertainment in a statement. Silver Range Resources Ltd (CVE:SNG) (OTCMKTS:SLRRF) (FRA:8SR) said it has received the results from an extensive exploration effort at its Silver Mountain property in Nevada. Through the program, which ran from March through June, Silver Range was able to stake two new projects, complete reconnaissance work near the Gold Chief property, as well as the recently expanded Steptoe project; and conduct exploration programs at the Strongbox property and the Cambridge project. The precious metals company is a prospect generator working in Nevada and Northern Canada. To date, Silver Range has assembled a portfolio of 47 properties, of which nine are currently under option to others and three have been converted to royalty interests.  Willow Biosciences Inc (TSE:WLLW) (OTCQX:CANSF) has said it is boosting its commercial operations and R&D teams as the company starts to commercialize its biosynthetically-produced cannabinoids. The firm has scaled up its lead program, cannabigerol (CBG) to start manufacturing the highly valuable and rare cannabinoid at a commercial level. Willow told investors that its R&D teams are now focusing on developing cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) programs for commercial manufacture, and is looking at harvesting other rare cannabinoids such as cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and Cannabinol (CBN). Gatling Exploration Inc (CVE:GTR) (OTCQB:GATGF) (FRA:G28A) said it has signed an exploration agreement with the Matachewan and Wahgoshig First Nations for continued cooperation as the Larder gold project in the Abitibi continues to advance. "This major milestone for Gatling marks the culmination of more than two years of relationship building and discussions between the company and the Matachewan and Wahgoshig First Nations, and sets forth a solid foundation for continued cooperation as the Larder project advances further along the value chain," Jason Billan, Gatling’s CEO said in a statement. Nextleaf Solutions Ltd (CSE:OILS) (OTCQB:OILFF) (FRA:L0MA) said it has signed a supply agreement with the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) for the sale and distribution of Nextleaf's prohibition-era brand, Glacial Gold cannabis oils and branded products. As an innovative cannabis processor British Columbia-based Nextleaf Solutions owns one of the largest portfolios of US patents for the extraction, distillation and delivery of cannabinoids. The company supplies cannabis oils to its wholesale customers and distributes consumer products under its award-winning, Glacial Gold brand.  Under the supply agreement, Nextleaf's wholly-owned subsidiary Nextleaf Labs Ltd will supply the BCLDB with large format THC and CBD ingestible oils, and vape cartridges produced at the cannabis company’s processing facility in Greater Vancouver.  Real Luck Group Ltd (CVE:LUCK) (OTCQB:LUKEF) and its subsidiary companies doing business as Luckbox, announced a strategic partnership with Aspire Global PLC's (STO:ASPIRE) (OTCMKTS:ASPGF) BtoBet. The partnership is a key component of broadening the company's platform and will add casino games to the Luckbox platform, as well as BtoBet's comprehensive sportsbook solution, including esports. In a statement, Real Luck Group CEO Thomas Rosander said: "BtoBet's industry-leading sportsbook solutions are key to building and improving the Luckbox product and betting offer by allowing customers to bet on traditional and an extended range esports events Recruiter.com Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:RCRT) (NASDAQ:RCRTW) revealed that it has surpassed 30,000 recruiters in its on-demand network. "With over 200 recruiters currently on assignment with our clients, we have seen rapid adoption of our on-demand model, which gives employers on-tap recruiters when they need help hiring," said Evan Sohn, CEO of Recruiter.com in a statement. "We look forward to continuing to increase our percentage of engaged and on-assignment recruiters as Recruiter.com grows its client base and opens new verticals. Now with over 30,000 recruiters and equipped with powerful artificial intelligence (AI) sourcing tools, we help employers recruit talent faster and better," he added. CO2 GRO Inc. (CVE:GROW) (OTCQB:BLONF) (FRA:4021) has announced the commercial feasibility of a CO2 Delivery Solutions system at a Quebec indoor micro cultivation facility. The company noted that the customer's facility has flower grow rooms with vertical wall racks that produce high quality, high yield and low-cost cannabis products. The commercial feasibility will occur in a vegetative grow room and in a separate flowering grow room. Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ:PHUN) said it has closed its third pediatric Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform licensing win for a patient-centric, digital front door mobile application portfolio with one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems. As one of the largest freestanding pediatric health systems in the United States, including a headquarters based in the Southwest region of the country, digital transformation and innovation is a central cornerstone of the customer’s strategy to enhance their patient and visitor experience for children, all while optimizing the utilization of their available resources for improved financial performance and better clinical outcomes. “We are honored to provide our tech-enabled, mobile-first capabilities optimized for healthcare so that parents and staff can focus more of their attention on the children under their care,” said Alan S. Knitowski, president, CEO and co-founder of Phunware in a statement. Vox Royalty Corp (CVE:VOX) (OTCMKTS:VOXCF) has noted that its royalty partner Thor Explorations Ltd (CVE:THX) (LON:THX) (OTCMKTS:THXPF) (FRA:T2X) has begun commissioning its gold processing plant at the Segilola gold project in Nigeria and will pour the first gold bar there before the end of the month. Vox Royalty, which has a 1.5% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on all products mined from the property, estimates it will receive pre-tax royalty revenues of C$4.4 million within the first two full years of production. "Based on production guidance from Thor, we expect that this royalty has the potential to generate revenue almost five times Vox's initial investment of C$900,000 within a span of three years,” Vox Royalty executive vice president of corporate development Simon Cooper said in a statement. Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:RKDA) has named Laura Pitlik its chief marketing officer, as the company expands its consumer goods platforms following several key acquisitions. A veteran consumer packaged goods strategist, the company said Pitlik will spearhead brand development and omnichannel marketing activities for Arcadia's portfolio of consumer nutrition, health and wellness brands. She will also lead the company's go-to-market strategies for the e-commerce, retail and food service channels. Mindset Pharma Inc (CSE:MSET) (OTCQB:MSSTF) (FRA:9DF) has announced the appointment of Dr Ishrat Husain to the company’s scientific advisory board. Mindset said Dr Husain will provide strategic guidance as the company develops a regulatory pathway for its novel psychedelic-based therapeutics to receive US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and eventually offer relief to patients suffering from mental illness.  Nextech AR Solutions Corp. (OTCQB:NEXCF) (NEO:NTAR) (CSE:NTAR) (FRAN29) has announced that Evan Gappelberg, the company's CEO-founder and Paul Duffy, its president and chairman of the board will present and have a live Q&A session with investors, hosted by Proactive’s Steve Darling on July 20, 2021, at 11.30am Eastern Time (US and Canada). To join the webinar, investors can use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/94099243779?pwd=OHJDYkNvT2JaaUJwUUdpOGJMdFV6QT09; Passcode: 639712; Dial-in numbers are: New York +1-646-876-9923; California +1-669-900-6833/ +1-408-638-0968; Washington +1-253-215-8782; Maryland +1-301-715-8592; Chicago +1-312-626-6799; Texas +1-346-248-7799/ +1-940-992-43779; Webinar ID: 940 9924 3779. International numbers are available via: https://zoom.us/u/abSz4tVT1w PsyBio Therapeutics Corp. (CVE:PSYB) (OTCQB:PSYBF) has announced that Evan Levine, its chief executive officer and director, and Dr Michael Spigarelli, its chief medical officer, are scheduled to participate in a fireside chat moderated by David Sherman, LifeSci Partners Senior Research Analyst and Head of Research, at the LifeSci Partners Private Summer Symposium on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at 1.30pm ET. Registration and Webcast details are available via the following link: https://web.cvent.com/event/95bbbf1d-cbdc-4941-af8e-6c7f4f5249a2/regProcessStep1:5488f9e6-e8a5-4c1a-a555-fbf5bcaa5644 Genprex, Inc. (NASDAQ:GNPX) has announced that its president and chief executive officer, Rodney Varner, will be participating in a webinar series with CEO Roadshow to provide a company overview to investors on a monthly basis from July through September 2021. The specific dates are: Wednesday, July 21 at 12pm EDT; Wednesday, August 18 at 11am EDT; and Wednesday, September 22 at 11 am EDT. The Webinars are be accessed via the following link: https://bit.ly/3eoHeie. The company said Varner will be available for questions following each company presentation. The webinars will be recorded and available for replay on Genprex’s website for a period of time. Replays will also be available on CEORoadshow.com following each webinar. Kodiak Copper Corp. (CVE:KDK) has announced that its common shares are now eligible for book-entry and depository services of the Depository Trust Company (DTC), to facilitate electronic clearing and settlement of transfers in the United States. Kodiak currently trades on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol KDKCF. Claudia Tornquist, Kodiak's CEO commented: "We are pleased to have received DTC eligibility to facilitate the trading, and efficient electronic transfer, of our common shares for U.S. investors and brokerage firms. This will allow for faster execution of trades and improved liquidity of our common shares and will help to broaden our US investors base. AgraFlora Organics International Inc.  (CSE:AGRA) (FRA:PU31) (OTCPINK:AGFAF) said its board of directors has approved the settlement of amounts owing for services rendered through the issuance of common shares. Under the debt settlement, the company issued an aggregate amount of 803,783 shares at a deemed price of $0.05 per share. All shares issued will be subject to a minimum hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. Electric Royalties Ltd (CVE:ELEC) said the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to its non-brokered private placement announced May 5, 2021, which will see the issue of 5 million shares at a purchase price of 40 cents per share, together with 5 million share purchase warrants with an exercise price of 60 cents for a two-year period with 36 placees. BioSig Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:BSGM) is to host two presentations from the physician users of its PURE EP System during the annual Heart Rhythm 2021 convention taking place on July 28-31, 2021, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The first presentation entitled 'PURE EP System: A New Standard in Signal Processing' will be held at 6:30 pm ET on  July 28 at Oak and Rowan on 321 A Street. The second entitled 'PURE EP :Clinical Data to Clinical Applications' will be led by Christopher McLeod, M.D., Ch.B. of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Andrea Natale, M.D. of Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas and is on  July 29, at 5:30 – 8 pm ET at Morton’s The Steakhouse, 2 Seaport Ln, Boston. "We would like to thank Drs. Natale, McLeod, Santangeli, and Kazemian, some of our most experienced technology users for their ongoing guidance as we expand our clinical footprint across the country. We are very grateful that they can share their experience using our technology and also discuss our clinical data with the broader audience during this pivotal time in our development. This is a unique opportunity for anyone who wishes to learn more about our technology and the impact it makes in the clinical practice," said Kenneth Londoner, CEO of BioSig Technologies in a brief statement.  

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene may be temporarily banned from Twitter but that’s not stopping her from spreading misinformation. This time she’s claiming that asking someone about their vaccination history is a violation of HIPAA rights. 

Greene was asked the million-dollar question of whether she’s received the COVID-19 vaccine at a press conference Tuesday, which she rebuffed in the name of doctor-patient confidentiality, so she thought.

To preface a question on the rapidly spreading Delta variant, a reporter asked the Georgia congresswoman point blank, “Have you yourself gotten vaccinated?” 

“Well your first question is a violation of my HIPAA rights,” Green replied. “You see with HIPAA rights, we don’t have to reveal our medical records and that also involves our vaccine records.” 

Check out the clip of the exchange here.



Question: Have you yourself been vaccinated?
Greene: Your first question is a violation of my HIPAA rights pic.twitter.com/JuHDovV2mC

— Acyn (@Acyn) July 20, 2021

Greene was referring to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which aims to protect personal information acquired by health officials, such as doctors, from fraud and theft. She seems to think invoking HIPAA laws is synonymous with pleading the fifth. It is not. 

If this journalist had asked Greene’s doctor a specific question about her health history, that would be a HIPAA violation. Asking Greene herself whether she potentially poses a public health threat (AKA whether she’s been vaccinated against a disease as dangerous and highly transmissible as COVID-19) is not. 

Coincidentally, Greene was kicked off Twitter for spreading other falsehoods related to the pandemic. She was suspended over two recent tweets that claimed the coronavirus is not dangerous to people under age 65 who aren’t overweight in an effort to argue against mandatory vaccination. 

Greene has also spent much of 2021 disseminating conspiracy theories surrounding the Capitol insurrection, specifically that the attack was perpetrated by Antifa or the FBI, not Trump supporters.  

*TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2021* / TRxADE HEALTH INC. (NASDAQ:MEDS) an integrated drug procurement, delivery, and healthcare platform, today announced that Bonum Health, a Digital Healthcare business subsidiary has signed a Telemedicine Service Distribution Deal with Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company of Winn-Dixie, Harveys Supermarket and Fresco y Más grocery stores throughout the five states of Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi.

Bonum Health will provide affordable telemedicine services and prescription discount savings to the patients of all Winn-Dixie, Harveys and Fresco y Más retail stores and pharmacies by offering Bonum Health's signature Mobile Health Services application and prescriber program, staffed by over 600 board-certified medical providers. The partnership also provides Winn-Dixie patients direct access to prescription discount savings through Bonum Health signature telemedicine application, which can be downloaded from both the Google Play and App Store. According to Becker's Hospital Review, in 2020, approximately 5.4 million Americans lost their health insurance between February-May 2020 due to Covid-19 related lay-offs or job losses. This is a disturbing trend across America where the total number of uninsured has climbed to 21%. In the states that Winn-Dixie serves customers, the uninsured totals represent an average of 21% of all consumers across Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana.

"Our strategic partnership with Bonum Health provides a fully integrated, deeply discounted and a patient-ready digital healthcare solution that gives eligible customers access to a Board-Certified Medical Provider," said Gayle Shields, Vice President of Pharmacy for Southeastern Grocers. "Bonum Health will help us diversify our in-store and community digital healthcare services as we offer deeply discounted telemedicine, with a combined prescription savings program designed into the same platform."

Ashton Maaraba, President of Bonum Health noted, "We are proud to support the Winn-Dixie, Harvey's and Fresco y Más retail store and pharmacy community. Winn-Dixie is committed to promote low-cost, turn-key, and innovative digital healthcare services across their consumer market. In working with Winn-Dixie, we plan on driving a seamless, deeply discounted and easily accessible digital health and wellness strategy. Our healthcare platform, medical providers, proprietary AI tools and resources not only offer fast and easy access to "live" virtual interactions with Board-Certified Medical Providers, but Winn-Dixie patients can also receive up to 80% savings on prescriptions."

*About TRxADE HEALTH, INC.*
TRxADE HEALTH (NASDAQ:MEDS) is a health services IT company focused on digitalizing the retail pharmacy experience by optimizing drug procurement, the prescription journey and patient engagement in the U.S. The Company operates the TRxADE drug procurement marketplace serving a total of 12,100+ members nationwide, fostering price transparency and under the Bonum Health brand, offering patient centric telehealth services. For info on TRxADE HEALTH, please visit the Company's IR website at investors.trxadegroup.com.

*About Winn Dixie (Southeastern Grocers Inc.)*
Founded in 1925, Winn-Dixie grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies serve communities throughout five southeastern states - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. is a subsidiary of Southeastern Grocers, which is one of the largest supermarket chains based in the Southeast. For more information, please visit www.winndixie.com and www.segrocers.com.

*Forward-Looking Statements*
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information about management's view of TRxADE's future expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words "may,""could,""expect,""intend,""plan,""seek,""anticipate,""believe,""estimate,""predict,""potential,""continue,""likely,""will,""would" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act, and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Any statements made in this news release other than those of historical fact, about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the results of TRxADE, its divisions and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These risks include risks relating to the adoption of our MedCheks app by partners and end-users, the apps of other competitors, including governments which may make certain apps mandatory or free, our ability to gain traction for our app in the marketplace, and the continued demand for our app; risks related to our operations not being profitable; claims relating to alleged violations of intellectual property rights of others; our ability to monetize our technological solutions; technical problems with our websites, apps and products; risks relating to implementing our acquisition strategies; our ability to manage our growth; negative effects on our operations associated with the opioid pain medication health crisis; regulatory and licensing requirement risks; risks related to changes in the U.S. healthcare environment; the status of our information systems, facilities and distribution networks; risks associated with the operations of our more established competitors; regulatory changes; healthcare fraud; COVID-19, governmental responses thereto, economic downturns and possible recessions caused thereby; changes in laws or regulations relating to our operations; privacy laws; system errors; dependence on current management; our growth strategy; and others that are included from time to time in filings made by TRxADE with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, in the "Risk Factors" sections in its Form 10-Ks and Form 10-Qs and in its Form 8-Ks, which it has filed, and files from time to time, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports are available at www.sec.gov. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on TRxADE's future results and/or could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. TRxADE cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

*Media Contact:*
Simone Valdez
IR@trxade.com
(800) 261-0281

*Investor Relations:*
Lucas Zimmerman, Senior Vice President
MZ Group - MZ North America
(949) 259-4987 | MEDS@mzgroup.us | www.mzgroup.us

*SOURCE*: TRxADE HEALTH, Inc.
View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/656387/Winn-Dixie-Southeastern-Grocers-Inc-and-Bonum-HealthTM-TRxADE-HEALTH-Company-Ink-Telemedicine-Deal

*BATON ROUGE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / July 22, 2021 / *Investar Holding Corporation ("Investar") (NASDAQ:ISTR), the holding company for Investar Bank, National Association (the "Bank"), today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Investar reported record net income of $5.7 million, or $0.53 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2021, compared to $5.4 million, or $0.51 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, and $4.3 million, or $0.39 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

On a non-GAAP basis, core earnings per diluted common share for the second quarter of 2021 were $0.53 compared to $0.49 for the first quarter of 2021 and $0.32 for the second quarter of 2020. Core earnings exclude certain non-operating items including, but not limited to, gain on sale of investment securities, change in the fair value of equity securities, and acquisition expense (refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures tables for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP metrics).

Investar Holding Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer John D'Angelo said:

"I am pleased to announce another successful quarter for Investar with record net income of $5.7 million. We are excited to have completed the acquisition of Cheaha Bank and operational conversion in the second quarter. In line with our stated strategy, we continued to reduce our cost of funds by 13 basis points through an improved deposit mix. We expanded our owner-occupied commercial real estate portfolio as we remain focused on relationship banking and growing our commercial portfolio. As the economy recovers from the pandemic, we remain confident in the overall credit quality of our loan portfolio and continue to experience minimal loss from charge-offs. Loan yield improved in the second quarter, however, we did experience compression of our net interest margin due to excess liquidity of approximately $230 million. This excess liquidity will continue to put pressure on our net interest margin as we work to deploy it through loan growth and investment opportunities. Investar continues to invest in improved banking technology as we continue to see a shift in customer behavior with the use of technology. We continue to evaluate our branch network and look for opportunities that will further improve our operating efficiency."

*Second Quarter Highlights*

  •

Investar recorded record net income of $5.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared to net income of $5.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and $4.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

  •

On April 1, 2021, Investar closed its previously announced acquisition of Cheaha Financial Group, Inc. ("Cheaha"), headquartered in Oxford, Alabama, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cheaha Bank. As of March 31, 2021, Cheaha had approximately $238 million in assets, $120 million in net loans, and $206 million in total deposits. In the aggregate, Cheaha's shareholders received approximately $41.1 million in cash consideration. On June 18, 2021, Investar completed the operational conversion of Cheaha.

  •

Total loans increased $101.9 million, or 5.5%, to $1.95 billion at June 30, 2021, compared to $1.85 billion at March 31, 2021, and increased $133.8 million, or 7.4%, compared to $1.81 billion at June 30, 2020. Excluding loans acquired from Cheaha on April 1, 2021 with a total balance of $120.0 million at June 30, 2021 and PPP loans with a total balance of $73.0 million ($1.7 million acquired from Cheaha), $106.6 million, and $109.5 million at June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively, total loans increased $17.2 million, or 1.0% (4.0% annualized), compared to March 31, 2021 and increased $52.1 million, or 3.1%, compared to June 30, 2020.

  •

The yield on the loan portfolio increased to 4.78% at June 30, 2021 compared to 4.72% at March 31, 2021.

  •

Cost of deposits decreased 12 basis points to 0.51% for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to 0.63% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and decreased 69 basis points compared to 1.20% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. Our overall cost of funds decreased 13 and 66 basis points to 0.70% compared to 0.83% and 1.36% for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively.

  •

Total deposits increased $250.3 million, or 12.5%, to $2.26 billion at June 30, 2021, compared to $2.01 billion at March 31, 2021, and increased $370.6 million, or 19.6%, compared to $1.89 billion at June 30, 2020. Investar recorded total deposits with a fair value of $207.0 million from its acquisition of Cheaha on April 1, 2021, and the remaining increase is due to organic growth.

  •

Noninterest-bearing deposits increased $66.6 million, or 12.9%, to $582.1 million at June 30, 2021, compared to $515.5 million at March 31, 2021 and increased $113.0 million, or 24.1%, compared to $469.1 million at June 30, 2020. Investar acquired approximately $45.4 million in noninterest-bearing deposits from Cheaha, and the remaining increase is due to organic growth. Excluding noninterest-bearing deposits acquired from Cheaha, noninterest-bearing deposits increased $21.3 million, or 4.1%, compared to March 31, 2021 and increased $67.7 million, or 14.4%, compared to June 30, 2020.

  •

Deposit mix improved during the second quarter of 2021. Noninterest-bearing deposits as a percentage of total deposits increased to 25.8% at June 30, 2021 compared to 25.6% at March 31, 2021 and 24.8% at June 30, 2020. Time deposits as a percentage of total deposits decreased to 23.4% at June 30, 2021, compared to 24.6% at March 31, 2021 and 35.5% at June 30, 2020.

*Loans*

Total loans were $1.95 billion at June 30, 2021, an increase of $101.9 million, or 5.5%, compared to March 31, 2021, and an increase of $133.8 million, or 7.4%, compared to June 30, 2020. Excluding the loans acquired from Cheaha on April 1, 2021, or $120.0 million at June 30, 2021, total loans decreased $18.2 million, or 1.0%, compared to March 31, 2021, and increased $13.8 million, or 0.8%, compared to June 30, 2020.

The following table sets forth the composition of the total loan portfolio as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

 
                    *Linked Quarter Change*     *Year/Year Change*     *Percentage of Total Loans*  
 
  *6/30/2021*     *3/31/2021*     *6/30/2020*     *$*     *%*     *$*     *%*     *6/30/2021*     *6/30/2020*  
Mortgage loans on real estate
                                                     
Construction and development
  $ 213,070     $ 190,816     $ 199,419     $ 22,254       11.7 %   $ 13,651       6.8 %     10.9 %     11.0 %
1-4 Family
    375,690       341,266       326,102       34,424       10.1       49,588       15.2       19.3       18.0  
Multifamily
    60,309       60,844       60,617       (535 )     (0.9 )     (308 )     (0.5 )     3.1       3.3  
Farmland
    22,263       24,145       28,845       (1,882 )     (7.8 )     (6,582 )     (22.8 )     1.1       1.6  
Commercial real estate
                                                                       
Owner-occupied
    438,590       399,393       371,783       39,197       9.8       66,807       18.0       22.5       20.5  
Nonowner-occupied
    445,125       430,487       411,776       14,638       3.4       33,349       8.1       22.9       22.7  
Commercial and industrial
    370,203       380,534       390,085       (10,331 )     (2.7 )     (19,882 )     (5.1 )     19.0       21.5  
Consumer
    22,570       18,485       25,344       4,085       22.1       (2,774 )     (10.9 )     1.2       1.4  
*Total loans*
  *$* *1,947,820*     *$* *1,845,970*     *$* *1,813,971*     *$* *101,850*       *5.5* *%*   *$* *133,849*       *7.4* *%*     *100* *%*     *100* *%*

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the first quarter of 2020, the Bank instituted a 90-day loan deferral program for customers impacted by the pandemic. As of June 30, 2021, the balance of loans participating in the 90-day deferral program was approximately $0.3 million, or 0.01% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $11.2 million, or 0.6% of the total loan portfolio, at March 31, 2021. As 90-day loan deferrals have expired, most customers have returned to their regular payment schedules.

In the second quarter of 2020, the Bank began participating as a lender in the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") as established by the CARES Act. The PPP loans are generally 100% guaranteed by the SBA ("Small Business Administration"), have an interest rate of 1%, and are eligible to be forgiven based on certain criteria, with the SBA remitting any applicable forgiveness amount to the lender. At June 30, 2021, the balance of the Bank's PPP loans was $73.0 million, compared to $106.6 million at March 31, 2021 and $109.5 million at June 30, 2020. Eighty-seven percent of the total number of PPP loans we have originated have principal balances of $150,000 or less. At June 30, 2021, approximately 57% of the total balance of PPP loans originated have been forgiven by the SBA or paid off by the customer. Excluding loans acquired from Cheaha on April 1, 2021 with a total balance of $120.0 million at June 30, 2021 and PPP loans with a total balance of $73.0 million ($1.7 million acquired from Cheaha), $106.6 million, and $109.5 million at June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively, total loans increased $17.2 million, or 1.0% (4.0% annualized), compared to March 31, 2021 and increased $52.1 million, or 3.1%, compared to June 30, 2020.

We experienced the greatest loan growth in the owner-occupied commercial real estate portfolio for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to March 31, 2021 as we remain focused on relationship banking and growing our commercial loan portfolios. We acquired approximately $7.7 million in owner-occupied commercial real estate loans from Cheaha, and the remaining $31.5 million increase is due to organic loan growth.

At June 30, 2021, Investar's total business lending portfolio, which consists of loans secured by owner-occupied commercial real estate properties and commercial and industrial loans, was $808.8 million, an increase of $28.9 million, or 3.7%, compared to the business lending portfolio of $779.9 million at March 31, 2021, and an increase of $46.9 million, or 6.2%, compared to the business lending portfolio of $761.9 million at June 30, 2020. The increase in the business lending portfolio compared to March 31, 2021 is primarily due to the acquisition of Cheaha, which added approximately $22.3 million in loans. The remaining growth of $6.6 million is due to the growth in the owner-occupied commercial real estate portfolio, as the commercial and industrial loan portfolio decreased during the period driven by payoffs of PPP loans. The increase in the business lending portfolio at June 30, 2021 compared to June 30, 2020 is primarily due to the growth in the owner-occupied commercial real estate portfolio.

Consumer loans totaled $22.6 million at June 30, 2021, an increase of $4.1 million, or 22.1%, compared to $18.5 million at March 31, 2021, and a decrease of $2.8 million, or 10.9%, compared to $25.3 million at June 30, 2020. The increase in consumer loans compared to March 31, 2021 is primarily attributable to the acquisition of Cheaha, which added approximately $6.1 million in consumer loans at June 30, 2021. The decrease in consumer loans compared to June 30, 2020 is mainly attributable to the scheduled paydowns of the indirect auto lending portfolio and is consistent with our business strategy.

Our loan portfolio includes loans to businesses in certain industries that may be more significantly affected by the pandemic than others. These loans, including loans related to oil and gas, food services, hospitality, and entertainment, represent approximately 6.4% of our total portfolio, or 5.9% excluding PPP loans, at June 30, 2021, compared to 6.8% of our total portfolio, or 5.7% excluding PPP loans, at March 31, 2021 and 6.8% of our total portfolio, or 5.8% excluding PPP loans, at June 30, 2020 as shown in the table below.

*Industry*
  *Percentage of Loan Portfolio June 30, 2021*     *Percentage of Loan Portfolio June 30, 2021 (excluding PPP loans)*     *Percentage of Loan Portfolio March 31, 2021*     *Percentage of Loan Portfolio March 31, 2021 (excluding PPP loans)*     *Percentage of Loan Portfolio June 30, 2020*     *Percentage of Loan Portfolio June 30, 2020 (excluding PPP loans)*  
Oil and gas
    2.7 %     2.5 %     3.2 %     2.4 %     3.5 %     2.7 %
Food services
    2.9       2.6       2.8       2.5       2.4       2.2  
Hospitality
    0.4       0.4       0.4       0.4       0.4       0.4  
Entertainment
    0.4       0.4       0.4       0.4       0.5       0.5  
*Total*
    *6.4* *%*     *5.9* *%*     *6.8* *%*     *5.7* *%*     *6.8* *%*     *5.8* *%*

Credit Quality

Nonperforming loans were $20.9 million, or 1.07% of total loans, at June 30, 2021, an increase of $6.0 million compared to $14.9 million, or 0.81% of total loans, at March 31, 2021, and an increase of $7.8 million compared to $13.1 million, or 0.72% of total loans, at June 30, 2020. The increase in nonperforming loans compared to March 31, 2021 is mainly attributable to two loan relationships totaling $5.7 million at June 30, 2021. Of the $5.7 million, $2.9 million is secured by real estate. Included in nonperforming loans are acquired loans with a balance of $6.2 million at June 30, 2021, or 30% of nonperforming loans.

The allowance for loan losses was $20.4 million, or 97.8% and 1.05% of nonperforming and total loans, respectively, at June 30, 2021, compared to $20.4 million, or 137.3% and 1.11%, respectively, at March 31, 2021, and $16.7 million, or 127.6% and 0.92%, respectively, at June 30, 2020.

The provision for loan losses was $0.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to $0.4 million and $2.5 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively. Additional provision for loan losses was recorded in 2020 primarily as a result of the deterioration of market conditions which have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bank continues to assess the impact the pandemic may have on its loan portfolio to determine the need for additional reserves.

*Deposits*

Total deposits at June 30, 2021 were $2.26 billion, an increase of $250.3 million, or 12.5%, compared to $2.01 billion at March 31, 2021, and an increase of $370.6 million, or 19.6%, compared to $1.89 billion at June 30, 2020. Investar acquired approximately $207.0 million in deposits from Cheaha at the time of acquisition on April 1, 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a significant amount of excess liquidity in the market, and, as a result, we have experienced large increases in both noninterest and interest-bearing demand deposits, and in money market deposit accounts and savings accounts compared to June 30, 2020. The Bank utilized $100.1 million in brokered deposits in the second quarter of 2021 and $80.0 million in the first quarter of 2021, which are used to satisfy the required borrowings under its interest rate swap agreements, due to more favorable pricing. Our deposit mix has improved and reflects our consistent focus on relationship banking and growing our commercial relationships, as well as the effects of the pandemic on consumer and business spending.

The following table sets forth the composition of deposits as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

                      *Linked Quarter Change*     *Year/Year Change*     *Percentage of *
*Total Deposits*  

 
  *6/30/2021*     *3/31/2021*     *6/30/2020*     *$*     *%*     *$*     *%*     *6/30/2021*     *6/30/2020*  
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 582,109     $ 515,487     $ 469,095     $ 66,622       12.9 %   $ 113,014       24.1 %     25.8 %     24.8 %
Interest-bearing demand deposits
    630,829       564,128       437,821       66,701       11.8       193,008       44.1       27.9       23.2  
Brokered deposits
    100,117       80,015       -       20,102       25.1       100,117       -       4.4       -  
Money market deposit accounts
    243,058       200,744       183,371       42,314       21.1       59,687       32.5       10.8       9.7  
Savings accounts
    174,385       154,131       129,157       20,254       13.1       45,228       35.0       7.7       6.8  
Time deposits
    529,668       495,375       670,144       34,293       6.9       (140,476 )     (21.0 )     23.4       35.5  
*Total deposits*
  *$* *2,260,166*     *$* *2,009,880*     *$* *1,889,588*     *$* *250,286*       *12.5* *%*   *$* *370,578*       *19.6* *%*     *100.0* *%*     *100.0* *%*

Noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits experienced the largest increases compared to March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020. These increases were primarily driven by government stimulus payments, reduced spending by consumer and business customers related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and increases in PPP borrowers' deposit accounts. We believe these factors may be temporary depending on the future economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Management made a strategic decision to either reprice or run-off higher yielding time deposits and other interest-bearing deposit products during 2020 and the first and second quarters of 2021, which contributed to our decreasing cost of deposits compared to the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020. The increase in time deposits at June 30, 2021 compared to March 31, 2021 is primarily due to the acquisition of Cheaha.

*Net Interest Income*

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2021 totaled $21.2 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 7.8%, compared to the first quarter of 2021, and an increase of $2.8 million, or 15.4%, compared to the second quarter of 2020. Included in net interest income for the quarters ended June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020 is $0.5 million, $0.1 million, and $0.4 million of interest income accretion from the acquisition of loans. Also included in net interest income for the quarters ended June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2021 are interest recoveries of $25,000 and $17,000, respectively, on acquired loans.

Investar's net interest margin was 3.48% for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared to 3.64% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and 3.46% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in net interest margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2021 was driven by excess liquidity. The average balance of interest-bearing balances with banks for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, as shown on our net interest margin table, increased $157.2 million compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2021, and resulted in a 23 basis point decrease in the net interest margin. This decrease in net interest margin was partially offset by a six basis point increase in the yield on the loan portfolio and a 13 basis point decrease in the cost of funds for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The increase in net interest margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was driven by a 66 basis point decrease in the cost of funds partially offset by a 49 basis point decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets.

The yield on interest-earning assets was 4.00% for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared to 4.26% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and 4.49% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was driven by lower loan yields and a large decrease in the yield earned on investment securities. In response to the pandemic, during March 2020, the Federal Reserve reduced the federal funds rate 150 basis points to 0 to 0.25 percent, which has affected the yields that we earn on our interest-earning assets. In addition, the PPP loans originated have a contractual interest rate of 1% and origination fees based on the loan amount, which impacts the yield on our loan portfolio.

Exclusive of PPP loans, which had an average balance of $96.0 million and related interest and fee income of $1.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared to an average balance of $97.3 million and related interest and fee income of $1.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and an average balance of $78.9 million and related interest and fee income of $0.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, adjusted net interest margin was 3.41% for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared to an adjusted net interest margin of 3.54% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and 3.44% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. Included in PPP interest and fee income for the quarters ended June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2021 is $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of accelerated fee income recognized due to the forgiveness or pay-off of PPP loans. Refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures table for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP metrics.

Exclusive of the interest income accretion from the acquisition of loans, interest recoveries, and accelerated fee income recognized due to the forgiveness or pay-off of PPP loans, all discussed above, adjusted net interest margin decreased to 3.29% for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared to 3.49% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, and 3.39% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The adjusted yield on interest-earning assets was 3.82% for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to 4.10% and 4.43% for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively. Refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures table for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP metrics.

The cost of deposits decreased 12 basis points to 0.51% for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to 0.63% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and decreased 69 basis points compared to 1.20% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in the cost of deposits compared to the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020 reflects the decrease in rates paid for all categories of interest-bearing deposits.

The overall costs of funds for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 decreased 13 basis points to 0.70% compared to 0.83% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and decreased 66 basis points compared to 1.36% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in the cost of funds for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020 resulted from both lower cost of deposits and lower average balances of short-term borrowings, the costs of which are driven by the Federal Reserve's federal funds rates.

*Noninterest Income*

Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2021 totaled $4.1 million, an increase of $1.7 million, or 72.6%, compared to the first quarter of 2021 and an increase of $0.2 million, or 3.8%, compared to the second quarter of 2020. The increase in noninterest income compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2021 was mainly driven by a $1.1 million increase in the gain on sale of investment securities. The increase in noninterest income compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2020 is mainly attributable to a $0.5 million increase in the gain on sale of investment securities and $0.2 million increases in service charges on deposit accounts and interchange fees, partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in other operating income, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in other operating income compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was driven by a $0.6 million decrease in derivative fee income.

*Noninterest Expense*

Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2021 totaled $18.0 million, an increase of $3.2 million, or 21.3%, compared to the first quarter of 2021, and an increase of $3.5 million, or 24.0%, compared to the second quarter of 2020. The increase in noninterest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2021 was driven by a $1.3 million increase in acquisition expense and a $1.2 million increase in salaries and benefits, both of which are primarily related to the acquisition of Cheaha. In addition, the Bank is self-insured for employee health insurance and experienced two unfavorable health claims resulting in an increase of $0.3 million in employee benefits compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

The increase in noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 is primarily attributable to the $1.4 million and $1.3 million increases in acquisition expense and salaries and employee benefits, respectively. The increase in salaries and employee benefits is driven by an increase in employees following the acquisition of Cheaha, increase in health insurance claims, and deferred compensation costs.

*Taxes*

Investar recorded income tax expense of $1.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, which equates to an effective tax rate of 20.7%, a decrease from the effective tax rate of 21.1% at March 31, 2021 and increase from the effective tax rate of 19.2% for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

*Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share*

Investar reported basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.54 and $0.53, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $0.03 and $0.02, respectively, compared to basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.51 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, and an increase of $0.15 and $0.14, respectively, compared to basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.39 for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

*About Investar Holding Corporation*

Investar, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, provides full banking services, excluding trust services, through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Investar Bank, National Association. The Bank currently operates 34 branch locations serving Louisiana, Texas, and Alabama. At June 30, 2021, the Bank had 357 full-time equivalent employees and total assets of $2.7 billion.

*Non-GAAP Financial Measures*

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. These measures and ratios include "tangible common equity,""tangible assets,""tangible equity to tangible assets,""tangible book value per common share,""core noninterest income,""core earnings before noninterest expense,""core noninterest expense,""core earnings before income tax expense,""core income tax expense,""core earnings,""core efficiency ratio,""core return on average assets,""core return on average equity,""core basic earnings per share," and "core diluted earnings per share." We also present certain average loan, yield, net interest income and net interest margin data adjusted to show the effects of excluding PPP loans, interest income accretion from the acquisition of loans, and interest recoveries. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide information useful to investors in understanding Investar's financial results, and Investar believes that its presentation, together with the accompanying reconciliations, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting Investar's business and allow investors to view performance in a manner similar to management, the entire financial services sector, bank stock analysts and bank regulators. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and results, and Investar strongly encourages investors to review its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this press release to the comparable GAAP financial measures is included at the end of the financial statement tables.

*Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements*

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect Investar's current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. Investar generally identifies forward-looking statements by terminology such as "outlook,""believes,""expects,""potential,""continues,""may,""will,""could,""should,""seeks,""approximately,""predicts,""intends,""plans,""estimates,""anticipates," or the negative version of those words or other comparable words. In addition, any of the following matters related to the pandemic may impact our financial results in future periods, and such impacts may be material depending on the length and severity of the pandemic and government and societal responses to it:

  •

borrowers may default on loans and economic conditions could deteriorate requiring further increases to the allowance for loan losses;

  •

demand for our loans and other banking services, and related income and fees, may be reduced;

  •

the value of collateral securing our loans may deteriorate; and

  •

lower market interest rates will have an adverse impact on our variable rate loans and reduce our income.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on the historical performance of Investar and its subsidiaries or on Investar's current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by Investar that the future plans, estimates or expectations by Investar will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to Investar's operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Investar's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, Investar's actual results may vary materially from those indicated in these statements. Investar does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following, any one or more of which could materially affect the outcome of future events:

  •

the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic conditions in general and on the Bank's markets in particular, and on the Bank's operations and financial results;

  •

ongoing disruptions in the oil and gas industry due to fluctuations in the price of oil;

  •

business and economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry in particular, whether nationally, regionally or in the markets in which we operate;

  •

increased cyber and payment fraud risk, as cybercriminals attempt to profit from the disruption, given increased online and remote activity;

  •

our ability to achieve organic loan and deposit growth, and the composition of that growth;

  •

our ability to identify and enter into agreements to combine with attractive acquisition candidates, finance acquisitions, complete acquisitions after definitive agreements are entered into, and successfully integrate acquired operations;

  •

changes (or the lack of changes) in interest rates, yield curves and interest rate spread relationships that affect our loan and deposit pricing;

  •

possible cessation or market replacement of LIBOR and the related effect on our LIBOR-based financial products and contracts, including, but not limited to, hedging products, debt obligations, investments and loans;

  •

the extent of continuing client demand for the high level of personalized service that is a key element of our banking approach as well as our ability to execute our strategy generally;

  •

our dependence on our management team, and our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

  •

changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including adverse developments in borrower industries or in the repayment ability of individual borrowers;

  •

inaccuracy of the assumptions and estimates we make in establishing reserves for probable loan losses and other estimates;

  •

the concentration of our business within our geographic areas of operation in Louisiana, Texas and Alabama; and

  •

concentration of credit exposure.

These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Additional information on these and other risk factors can be found in Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and in the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Investar's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

*For further information contact:*

Investar Holding Corporation
Chris Hufft
Chief Financial Officer
(225) 227-2215
Chris.Hufft@investarbank.com

*INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION*
*SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION*
*(Amounts in thousands, except share data)*
*(Unaudited)*

    *As of and for the three months ended*  
    *6/30/2021*     *3/31/2021*     *6/30/2020*     *Linked Quarter*     *Year/Year*  
*EARNINGS DATA*
                             
Total interest income
  $ 24,347     $ 22,969     $ 23,802       6.0 %     2.3 %
Total interest expense
    3,182       3,335       5,463       (4.6 )     (41.8 )
Net interest income
    21,165       19,634       18,339       7.8       15.4  
Provision for loan losses
    114       400       2,500       (71.5 )     (95.4 )
Total noninterest income
    4,082       2,365       3,931       72.6       3.8  
Total noninterest expense
    17,960       14,809       14,480       21.3       24.0  
Income before income taxes
    7,173       6,790       5,290       5.6       35.6  
Income tax expense
    1,485       1,430       1,016       3.8       46.2  
Net income
  $ 5,688     $ 5,360     $ 4,274       6.1       33.1  
                                         
*AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA*
                                       
Total assets
  $ 2,650,050     $ 2,354,504     $ 2,296,082       12.6 %     15.4 %
Total interest-earning assets
    2,441,368       2,185,853       2,130,236       11.7       14.6  
Total loans
    1,940,513       1,857,272       1,789,863       4.5       8.4  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    1,677,471       1,484,515       1,403,168       13.0       19.5  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    1,817,746       1,623,286       1,615,422       12.0       12.5  
Total deposits
    2,236,902       1,951,046       1,827,512       14.7       22.4  
Total stockholders' equity
    251,793       247,236       236,651       1.8       6.4  
                                         
*PER SHARE DATA*
                                       
Earnings:
                                       
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.54     $ 0.51     $ 0.39       5.9 %     38.5 %
Diluted earnings per common share
    0.53       0.51       0.39       3.9       35.9  
Core Earnings(1):
                                       
Core basic earnings per common share(1)
    0.53       0.49       0.32       8.2       65.6  
Core diluted earnings per common share(1)
    0.53       0.49       0.32       8.2       65.6  
Book value per common share
    24.08       23.79       21.84       1.2       10.3  
Tangible book value per common share(1)
    19.85       20.72       18.82       (4.2 )     5.5  
Common shares outstanding
    10,413,390       10,436,493       10,839,977       (0.2 )     (3.9 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
    10,414,875       10,509,468       10,882,084       (0.9 )     (4.3 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
    10,541,907       10,567,173       10,882,084       (0.2 )     (3.1 )
                                         
*PERFORMANCE RATIOS*
                                       
Return on average assets
    0.86 %     0.92 %     0.75 %     (6.5 )%     14.7 %
Core return on average assets(1)
    0.84       0.89       0.62       (5.6 )     35.5  
Return on average equity
    9.06       8.79       7.26       3.1       24.8  
Core return on average equity(1)
    8.85       8.50       6.00       4.1       47.5  
Net interest margin
    3.48       3.64       3.46       (4.4 )     0.6  
Net interest income to average assets
    3.20       3.38       3.21       (5.3 )     (0.3 )
Noninterest expense to average assets
    2.72       2.55       2.54       6.7       7.1  
Efficiency ratio(2)
    71.14       67.32       65.02       5.7       9.4  
Core efficiency ratio(1)
    69.62       67.35       67.03       3.4       3.9  
Dividend payout ratio
    14.81       13.73       15.38       7.9       (3.7 )
Net charge-offs to average loans
    -       0.02       -       (100.0 )     -  

(1) Non-GAAP financial measure. See reconciliation.
(2) Efficiency ratio represents noninterest expenses divided by the sum of net interest income (before provision for loan losses) and noninterest income.

*INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION*
*SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION*
*(Amounts in thousands, except share data)*
*(Unaudited)*

    *As of and for the three months ended*  
    *6/30/2021*     *3/31/2021*     *6/30/2020*     *Linked Quarter*     *Year/Year*  
*ASSET QUALITY RATIOS*
                             
Nonperforming assets to total assets
    0.84 %     0.68 %     0.56 %     23.5 %     50.0 %
Nonperforming loans to total loans
    1.07       0.81       0.72       32.1       48.6  
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
    1.05       1.11       0.92       (5.4 )     14.1  
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans
    97.83       137.33       127.62       (28.8 )     (23.3 )
                                         
*CAPITAL RATIOS*
                                       
*Investar Holding Corporation:*
                                       
Total equity to total assets
    9.38 %     10.31 %     10.03 %     (9.1 )%     (6.5 )%
Tangible equity to tangible assets(1)
    7.86       9.10       8.77       (13.6 )     (10.4 )
Tier 1 leverage ratio
    8.19       9.37       9.31       (12.6 )     (12.0 )
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio(2)
    9.96       11.08       11.02       (10.1 )     (9.6 )
Tier 1 capital ratio(2)
    10.43       11.42       11.37       (8.7 )     (8.3 )
Total capital ratio(2)
    13.55       14.77       14.61       (8.3 )     (7.3 )
*Investar Bank:*
                                       
Tier 1 leverage ratio
    9.49       10.56       10.09       (10.1 )     (5.9 )
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio(2)
    12.10       12.86       12.33       (5.9 )     (1.9 )
Tier 1 capital ratio(2)
    12.10       12.86       12.33       (5.9 )     (1.9 )
Total capital ratio(2)
    13.11       13.95       13.25       (6.0 )     (1.1 )

(1) Non-GAAP financial measure. See reconciliation.
(2) Estimated for June 30, 2021.

*INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION*
*CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS*
*(Amounts in thousands, except share data)*
*(Unaudited)*

 
  *June 30, 2021*     *March 31, 2021*     *June 30, 2020*  
*ASSETS*
                 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 36,775     $ 29,970     $ 31,725  
Interest-bearing balances due from other banks
    229,498       69,400       99,239  
Federal funds sold
    500       97       -  
*Cash and cash equivalents*
    266,773       99,467       130,964  
 
                       
Available for sale securities at fair value (amortized cost of $267,706, $299,310, and $242,175, respectively)
    269,360       301,433       246,886  
Held to maturity securities at amortized cost (estimated fair value of $12,007, $12,341, and $14,265, respectively)
    11,812       11,966       14,053  
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $20,445, $20,423, and $16,657, respectively
    1,927,375       1,825,547       1,797,314  
Other equity securities
    16,725       16,763       19,398  
Bank premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $17,566, $16,803, and $14,022, respectively
    62,588       56,631       56,767  
Other real estate owned, net
    1,490       1,518       69  
Accrued interest receivable
    12,205       12,868       13,701  
Deferred tax asset
    508       -       1,515  
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
    43,973       32,001       32,715  
Bank-owned life insurance
    50,462       39,131       38,437  
Other assets
    9,636       10,631       7,544  
*Total assets*
  $ 2,672,907     $ 2,407,956     $ 2,359,363  
 
                       
*LIABILITIES*
                       
*Deposits*
                       
Noninterest-bearing
  $ 582,109     $ 515,487     $ 469,095  
Interest-bearing
    1,678,057       1,494,393       1,420,493  
*Total deposits*
    2,260,166       2,009,880       1,889,588  
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank
    82,500       82,500       158,500  
Repurchase agreements
    6,713       4,274       4,908  
Subordinated debt
    42,943       42,920       42,854  
Junior subordinated debt
    8,320       5,962       5,923  
Accrued taxes and other liabilities
    21,550       14,169       20,884  
*Total liabilities*
    2,422,192       2,159,705       2,122,657  
 
                       
*STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY*
                       
Preferred stock, no par value per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized
    -       -       -  
Common stock, $1.00 par value per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 10,413,390, 10,436,493, and 10,839,977 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
    10,413       10,436       10,840  
Surplus
    155,847       155,822       161,729  
Retained earnings
    80,867       75,998       63,767  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    3,588       5,995       370  
*Total stockholders' equity*
    250,715       248,251       236,706  
*Total liabilities and stockholders' equity*
  $ 2,672,907     $ 2,407,956     $ 2,359,363  

*INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION*
*CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME*
*(Amounts in thousands, except share data)*
*(Unaudited)*

    *For the three months ended*  
    *June 30, 2021*     *March 31, 2021*     *June 30, 2020*  
*INTEREST INCOME*
                 
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 23,135     $ 21,627     $ 22,118  
Interest on investment securities
    1,009       1,179       1,455  
Other interest income
    203       163       229  
Total interest income
    24,347       22,969       23,802  
                         
*INTEREST EXPENSE*
                       
Interest on deposits
    2,114       2,302       4,190  
Interest on borrowings
    1,068       1,033       1,273  
Total interest expense
    3,182       3,335       5,463  
Net interest income
    21,165       19,634       18,339  
                         
Provision for loan losses
    114       400       2,500  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    21,051       19,234       15,839  

 
                       
*NONINTEREST INCOME*
                       
Service charges on deposit accounts
    607       491       405  
Gain on sale of investment securities, net
    1,721       600       1,178  
Loss on sale of fixed assets, net
    -       (2 )     -  
Loss on sale of other real estate owned, net
    (5 )     -       -  
Gain on sale of loans
    46       -       -  
Servicing fees and fee income on serviced loans
    65       64       96  
Interchange fees
    501       388       347  
Income from bank owned life insurance
    311       223       233  
Change in the fair value of equity securities
    91       65       248  
Other operating income
    745       536       1,424  
Total noninterest income
    4,082       2,365       3,931  
Income before noninterest expense
    25,133       21,599       19,770  
                         
*NONINTEREST EXPENSE*
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    1,278       1,206       1,149  
Salaries and employee benefits
    9,916       8,695       8,572  
Occupancy
    676       637       536  
Data processing
    973       746       786  
Marketing
    71       41       78  
Professional fees
    378       358       429  
Acquisition expenses
    1,641       361       255  
Other operating expenses
    3,027       2,765       2,675  
Total noninterest expense
    17,960       14,809       14,480  
Income before income tax expense
    7,173       6,790       5,290  
Income tax expense
    1,485       1,430       1,016  
Net income
  $ 5,688     $ 5,360     $ 4,274  
                         
*EARNINGS PER SHARE*
                       
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.54     $ 0.51     $ 0.39  
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.53     $ 0.51     $ 0.39  
Cash dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.08     $ 0.07     $ 0.06  

*INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION*
*CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET, INTEREST EARNED AND YIELD ANALYSIS*
*(Amounts in thousands)*
*(Unaudited)* 
  *For the three months ended*  
    *June 30, 2021*     *March 31, 2021*     *June 30, 2020*  
   
      *Interest*    
     
      *Interest*    
     
      *Interest*    
   
    *Average*     *Income/*    
*Yield/*     *Average*     *Income/*    
*Yield/*     *Average*     *Income/*    
*Yield/*  
    *Balance*     *Expense*     *Rate*     *Balance*     *Expense*     *Rate*     *Balance*     *Expense*     *Rate*  
*Assets*
                                                     
Interest-earning assets:
                                                     
Loans
  $ 1,940,513     $ 23,135       4.78 %   $ 1,857,272     $ 21,627       4.72 %   $ 1,789,863     $ 22,118       4.97 %
Securities:
                                                                       
Taxable
    283,318       860       1.22       270,040       1,039       1.56       244,703       1,253       2.06  
Tax-exempt
    22,061       149       2.71       20,228       140       2.81       29,150       202       2.79  
Interest-bearing balances with banks
    195,476       203       0.42       38,313       163       1.72       66,520       229       1.38  
Total interest-earning assets
    2,441,368       24,347       4.00       2,185,853       22,969       4.26       2,130,236       23,802       4.49  
Cash and due from banks
    40,639                       30,335                       25,900                  
Intangible assets
    44,727                       32,112                       32,561                  
Other assets
    143,774                       126,750                       121,706                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (20,458 )                     (20,546 )                     (14,321 )                
Total assets
  $ 2,650,050                     $ 2,354,504                     $ 2,296,082                  
                                                                         
*Liabilities and stockholders' equity*
                                                                       
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Deposits:
                                                                       
Interest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 854,504     $ 701       0.33 %   $ 736,502     $ 685       0.38 %   $ 597,022     $ 827       0.56 %
Brokered deposits
    97,245       240       0.99       83,832       209       1.01       -       -       -  
Savings deposits
    173,553       71       0.16       146,078       66       0.19       125,680       94       0.30  
Time deposits
    552,169       1,102       0.80       518,103       1,342       1.05       680,466       3,269       1.93  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    1,677,471       2,114       0.51       1,484,515       2,302       0.63       1,403,168       4,190       1.20  
Short-term borrowings
    10,030       5       0.21       11,407       6       0.18       84,447       233       1.11  
Long-term debt
    130,245       1,063       3.27       127,364       1,027       3.27       127,807       1,040       3.27  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    1,817,746       3,182       0.70       1,623,286       3,335       0.83       1,615,422       5,463       1.36  
Noninterest-bearing deposits
    559,431                       466,531                       424,344                  
Other liabilities
    21,080                       17,451                       19,665                  
Stockholders' equity
    251,793                       247,236                       236,651                  
Total liability and stockholders' equity
  $ 2,650,050                     $ 2,354,504                     $ 2,296,082                  
Net interest income/net interest margin
          $ 21,165       3.48 %           $ 19,634       3.64 %           $ 18,339       3.46 %

*INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION*
*RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES*
*INTEREST EARNED AND YIELD ANALYSIS ADJUSTED FOR PPP LOANS*
*(Amounts in thousands)*
*(Unaudited)*

 
  *For the three months ended*  
 
  *June 30, 2021*     *March 31, 2021*     *June 30, 2020*  
 
        *Interest*                 *Interest*                 *Interest*        
 
  *Average*     *Income/*     *Yield/*     *Average*     *Income/*     *Yield/*     *Average*     *Income/*     *Yield/*  
 
  *Balance*     *Expense*     *Rate*     *Balance*     *Expense*     *Rate*     *Balance*     *Expense*     *Rate*  
Interest-earning assets:
                                                     
Loans
  $ 1,940,513     $ 23,135       4.78 %   $ 1,857,272     $ 21,627       4.72 %   $ 1,789,863     $ 22,118       4.97 %
Adjustments:
                                                                       
PPP loans
    96,045       1,237       5.17 %     97,288       1,405       5.86 %     78,903       788       4.02 %
Adjusted loans
    1,844,468       21,898       4.76 %     1,759,984       20,222       4.66 %     1,710,960       21,330       5.01 %
Securities:
                                                                       
Taxable
    283,318       860       1.22       270,040       1,039       1.56       244,703       1,253       2.06  
Tax-exempt
    22,061       149       2.71       20,228       140       2.81       29,150       202       2.79  
Interest-bearing balances with banks
    195,476       203       0.42       38,313       163       1.72       66,520       229       1.38  
Adjusted interest-earning assets
    2,345,323       23,110       3.95       2,088,565       21,564       4.19       2,051,333       23,014       4.51  
 
                                                                       
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    1,817,746       3,182       0.70       1,623,286       3,335       0.83       1,615,422       5,463       1.36  
 
                                                                       
Adjusted net interest income/adjusted net interest margin
          $ 19,928       3.41 %           $ 18,229       3.54 %           $ 17,551       3.44 %

*INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION*
*RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES*
*INTEREST EARNED AND YIELD ANALYSIS ADJUSTED FOR INTEREST ACCRETION, RECOVERIES AND ACCELERATED PPP INCOME*
*(Amounts in thousands)*
*(Unaudited)*

 
  *For the three months ended*  
 
  *June 30, 2021*     *March 31, 2021*     *June 30, 2020*  
 
        *Interest*                 *Interest*                 *Interest*        
 
  *Average*     *Income/*           *Average*     *Income/*           *Average*     *Income/*        
 
  *Balance*     *Expense*     *Yield/ Rate*     *Balance*     *Expense*     *Yield/ Rate*     *Balance*     *Expense*     *Yield/ Rate*  
Interest-earning assets:
                                                     
Loans
  $ 1,940,513     $ 23,135       4.78 %   $ 1,857,272     $ 21,627       4.72 %   $ 1,789,863     $ 22,118       4.97 %
Adjustments:
                                                                       
Accelerated fee income for forgiven or paid off PPP loans
            556                       692                       -          
Interest recoveries
            25                       17                       -          
Accretion
            532                       135                       365          
Adjusted Loans
    1,940,513       22,022       4.55       1,857,272       20,783       4.54       1,789,863       21,753       4.89  
Securities:
                                                                       
Taxable
    283,318       860       1.22       270,040       1,039       1.56       244,703       1,253       2.06  
Tax-exempt
    22,061       149       2.71       20,228       140       2.81       29,150       202       2.79  
Interest-bearing balances with banks
    195,476       203       0.42       38,313       163       1.72       66,520       229       1.38  
Adjusted interest-earning assets
    2,441,368       23,234       3.82       2,185,853       22,125       4.10       2,130,236       23,437       4.43  
 
                                                                       
*Total interest-bearing liabilities*
    1,817,746       3,182       0.70       1,623,286       3,335       0.83       1,615,422       5,463       1.36  
 
                                                                       
Adjusted net interest income/adjusted net interest margin
          $ 20,052       3.29 %           $ 18,790       3.49 %           $ 17,974       3.39 %
 
                                                                       

*INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION*
*RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES*
*(Amounts in thousands, except share data)*
*(Unaudited)*

 
  *June 30, 2021*     *March 31, 2021*     *June 30, 2020*  
*Tangible common equity*
                 
                   
Total stockholders' equity
  $ 250,715     $ 248,251     $ 236,706  
Adjustments:
                       
Goodwill
    39,527       28,144       28,144  
Core deposit intangible
    4,346       3,757       4,471  
Trademark intangible
    100       100       100  
Tangible common equity
  $ 206,742     $ 216,250     $ 203,991  
*Tangible assets*
                       
Total assets
  $ 2,672,907     $ 2,407,956     $ 2,359,363  
Adjustments:
                       
Goodwill
    39,527       28,144       28,144  
Core deposit intangible
    4,346       3,757       4,471  
Trademark intangible
    100       100       100  
Tangible assets
  $ 2,628,934     $ 2,375,955     $ 2,326,648  
 
                       
Common shares outstanding
    10,413,390       10,436,493       10,839,977  
Tangible equity to tangible assets
    7.86 %     9.10 %     8.77 %
Book value per common share
  $ 24.08     $ 23.79     $ 21.84  
Tangible book value per common share
    19.85       20.72       18.82  

*INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION*
*RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES*
*(Amounts in thousands, except share data)*
*(Unaudited)*

      *Three months ended*  

 
    *6/30/2021*     *3/31/2021*     *6/30/2020*  
Net interest income
(a)
  $ 21,165     $ 19,634     $ 18,339  
Provision for loan losses
      114       400       2,500  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
      21,051       19,234       15,839  
                         
Noninterest income
(b)
    4,082       2,365       3,931  
Gain on sale of investment securities, net
      (1,721 )     (600 )     (1,178 )
Loss on sale of other real estate owned, net
      5       -       -  
Loss on sale of fixed assets, net
      -       2       -  
Change in the fair value of equity securities
      (91 )     (65 )     (248 )
Core noninterest income
(d)
    2,275       1,702       2,505  
                         
Core earnings before noninterest expense
      23,326       20,936       18,344  
 
                       
Total noninterest expense
(c)
    17,960       14,809       14,480  
Acquisition expense
      (1,641 )     (361 )     (255 )
Severance
      -       (78 )     (253 )
Core noninterest expense
(f)
    16,319       14,370       13,972  
                         
Core earnings before income tax expense
      7,007       6,566       4,372  
Core income tax expense(1)
      1,450       1,385       840  
Core earnings
    $ 5,557     $ 5,181     $ 3,532  
                         
Core basic earnings per common share
 
    0.53       0.49       0.32  
 
                       
Diluted earnings per common share (GAAP)
    $ 0.53     $ 0.51     $ 0.39  
Gain on sale of investment securities, net
      (0.12 )     (0.05 )     (0.09 )
Loss on sale of other real estate owned, net
      -       -       -  
Loss on sale of fixed assets, net
      -       -       -  
Change in the fair value of equity securities
      (0.01 )     (0.01 )     (0.02 )
Acquisition expense
      0.13       0.03       0.02  
Severance
      -       0.01       0.02  
Core diluted earnings per common share
    $ 0.53     $ 0.49     $ 0.32  
 
                       
Efficiency ratio
(c) / (a+b)
    71.14 %     67.32 %     65.02 %
Core efficiency ratio
(f) / (a+d)
    69.62 %     67.35 %     67.03 %
Core return on average assets(2)
      0.84 %     0.89 %     0.62 %
Core r

 -More- 

From politicians to professional athletes, people in the media spotlight have deflected questions about their COVID-19 vaccine status by – incorrectly – accusing reporters of violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA.

When we’re discussing health insurance, we are talking about a concept people don’t think about until they need it. If you take a look at some official statistics, you will see that a high percentage of US citizens don’t have it. Therefore, a lot of them think about possible ways to overcome these problems. But […]

Rumor FixWhat is the Best Health Insurance for Real Estate Agents?

The rule says if each parent has separate insurance, the newborn must be covered under the parent whose birthday falls earlier in the calendar year. Studio: CBS 4 Denver

One of the first corrections officers to break through the door after the murder of friend and colleague Joseph Gomm is fighting for change at the State Capitol, Liz Collin reports (2:21). WCCO 4 News.. Studio: CBS 4 WCCO Minnesota

CHICAGO (AP) — Most mornings, 62-year-old Maria Elena Estamilla wakes up with pelvic pain and dread that she faces the same fate as her mother and grandmother: fatal cervical cancer.

The Chicago woman's last full medical exam was in 2015 and she sees no options for care as a Mexican immigrant without permission to live in the U.S. She’s not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage. As a child care worker, she didn’t have employer coverage. She can’t afford private insurance.

But things may soon change.

Illinois is among a handful of Democratic-run states extending health insurance coverage to adult immigrants in the country illegally, including seniors. The state, which became the first to offer a Medicaid-like program for older immigrants last year, used a new budget to expand the program. California followed suit, including coverage for those 50 and over in the latest budget. And Oregon's governor signed a plan this week offering benefits to low-income immigrants over 19. New York advocates are banking on the momentum to do the same.

Supporters say the trend is crucial during a coronavirus pandemic that has left immigrants, who are disproportionately essential workers, more vulnerable to COVID-19 and as federal remedies, like an immigration overhaul or “public option” health insurance, face tough political odds. While opponents question the cost and using taxpayer funding, experts believe it will ultimately save money and address looming issues with an aging immigrant population.

“This program can’t come any faster for me because of the pain and discomfort I feel,” Estamilla said. “I’m very scared.”

Immigrants, both with legal status and without, are more likely to be uninsured than citizens.

Among those under 65, roughly 46% of immigrants in...

NEW DELHI (AP) — As coronavirus cases ravaged India this spring, Anil Sharma visited his 24-year-old son Saurav at a private hospital in northwest New Delhi every day for more than two months. In May, as India's new COVID-19 cases broke global records to reach 400,000 a day, Saurav was put on a ventilator.

The sight of the tube running into Saurav’s throat is seared in Sharma’s mind. “I had to stay strong when I was with him, but immediately after, I would break down as soon as I left the room,” he said.

Saurav is home now, still weak and recovering. But the family's joy is tempered by a mountain of debt that piled up while he was sick.

Life has been tentatively returning to normal in India as coronavirus cases have fallen. But millions are embroiled in a nightmare of huge piles of medical bills. Most Indians don’t have health insurance and costs for COVID-19 treatment have them drowning in debt.

Sharma exhausted his savings on paying for an ambulance, tests, medicines and an ICU bed. Then he took out bank loans.

As the costs mounted, he borrowed from friends and relatives. Then, he turned to strangers, pleading online for help on Ketto, an Indian crowdfunding website. Overall, Sharma says he has paid over $50,000 in medical bills.

The crowdfunding provided $28,000, but another $26,000 is borrowed money he needs to repay, a kind of debt he has never faced before.

“He was struggling for his life and we were struggling to provide him an opportunity to survive,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I was a proud father -- and now I have become a beggar.”

The pandemic has devastated India's economy, bringing financial calamity to millions at the mercy of its chronically underfunded and fragmented healthcare system. Experts say such costs are bound to hinder an...