Available by prescription through telemedicine partner Mavrox.com/Roxus.

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LTR Pharma Limited (ASX: LTP), the Australian pharmaceutical company, today announced that Roxus® is now available to men across the U.S. Roxus is a prescription nasal spray for erectile dysfunction (ED) that delivers vardenafil, the same type of ED medicine as Viagra®, used in tablets for more than 20 years, through LTR's proprietary intranasal spray technology.

Roxus uses the same intranasal vardenafil formulation as SPONTAN®, LTR Pharma's nasal spray prescribed in Australia for the past two years. In clinical studies, including a peer-reviewed Phase 1 study, the spray reached peak blood levels in a median of about 10 minutes, compared with 45 to 60 minutes for vardenafil tablets.¹ Men 65 and older reached peak levels just as quickly, and the spray did it with a quarter of the tablet dose. Because it's absorbed through the nose rather than the stomach, it's designed to avoid the delays a heavy meal can cause with pills.

"For twenty years, ED treatment has meant taking a pill, waiting an hour, and hoping dinner doesn't get in the way. Roxus delivers vardenafil through the nose instead of the stomach, and in our clinical studies, our nasal spray reached peak blood levels in about ten minutes instead of an hour. That changes the experience for men and their partners, as it's effective within 5-10 minutes," said Lee Rodne, Executive Chairman, LTR Pharma.

"In sexual medicine, convenience is clinical. Roxus gives us an opportunity to rethink delivery of a familiar PDE5 mechanism around the patient experience: speed, discretion and spontaneity," said Dr. Amy Pearlman, urologist and member of LTR Pharma's Scientific Advisory Board.

How to get Roxus

LTR Pharma has partnered with Shed, whose men's health telemedicine platform Mavrox brings Roxus to men nationwide.

To obtain a prescription, men complete a short online health assessment at Mavrox.com/Roxus. A licensed U.S. provider reviews it, and if Roxus is appropriate, Strive Pharmacy fills the prescription and ships it discreetly to their door. Men who prefer an in-person visit can ask their healthcare provider about Roxus. To learn more, visit Roxus.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not use Roxus if you take nitrates for chest pain, recreational "poppers," or riociguat, or if you are allergic to vardenafil. Tell your provider about any heart, liver, or kidney problems, and all medicines you take. Seek emergency care for an erection lasting more than 4 hours or sudden vision or hearing loss. Common side effects include headache, flushing, runny or stuffy nose, indigestion, and temporary nasal discomfort.

Roxus is a compounded medication prepared for identified individual patient needs based on a valid prescription from a prescribing healthcare practitioner and, as such, is not reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or efficacy. Compounded drugs are intended for patients whose prescriber has determined their medical needs are not met by an available FDA-approved drug. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Results may vary. Available by prescription only, when a licensed provider determines it is appropriate.

About LTR Pharma: LTR Pharma Limited (ASX: LTP) is an Australian commercial-stage pharmaceutical company that develops fast-acting intranasal medicines using its proprietary nasal spray technology. Its lead products, SPONTAN® (Australia) and Roxus® (U.S.), are nasal sprays for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. SPONTAN is progressing through the U.S. FDA 505(b)(2) pathway toward a planned Phase III study. ltrpharma.com

About Mavrox: Mavrox, operated by Shed, is a U.S. men's health telemedicine platform connecting men with licensed providers and personalized treatment. Mavrox.com

Reference

¹ Based on pharmacokinetic studies of SPONTAN®, LTR Pharma's intranasal vardenafil formulation, and published prescribing information for oral PDE5 inhibitors. No head-to-head study has compared Roxus with other ED treatments.

Viagra is a registered trademark of Pfizer Inc.

Media Contact: Fergus Linskey, Levo Health, [email protected]

SOURCE LTR Pharma

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TAL Education Group to Announce Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Results on October 29, 2026

BEIJING, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TAL Education Group ("TAL" or the "Company") (NYSE: TAL), a smart learning solutions provider in China, today announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2027 ended August 31, 2026, before the market opens on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

The Company will host a corresponding conference call and live webcast at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Beijing Time) on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

Please note that you will need to pre-register for conference call participation at

https://dpregister.com/sreg/10212718/1051b87d48e.

Upon registration, you will receive an email containing participant dial-in numbers, passcode, and a unique access PIN. This information will allow you to gain immediate access to the call. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.

A replay of the conference call will be available by phone at the numbers listed below, starting one hour after the live call concludes and remaining accessible through November 5, 2026:

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of TAL's website at https://ir.tal.com/.

About TAL Education Group

TAL Education Group is a smart learning solutions provider in China. The acronym "TAL" stands for "Tomorrow Advancing Life", which reflects our vision to promote top learning opportunities for students through both high-quality teaching and content, as well as leading edge application of technology in the education experience. TAL Education Group offers comprehensive learning solutions to students from all ages through diversified class formats. Our learning solutions mainly cover enrichment learnings programs and some academic subjects in and out of China. Our ADSs trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TAL".

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Jackson Ding

Investor Relations

TAL Education Group

Tel: +86 10 5292 6669-8809

Email: [email protected]

Christensen Advisory

Tel: +86 10 5900 1548

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE TAL Education Group

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National Grid submits further transmission investment proposals to Ofgem to support Britain’s energy future

National Grid has submitted a further package of proposals to Ofgem under the RIIO-T3 load re-opener process, seeking approval for investment across its electricity transmission network to support growing demand, unlock connections and enable economic growth across England and Wales.

This latest submission comprises 19 projects across England and Wales, representing around £4.5 billion of proposed investment*. Subject to approval, it forms part of National Grid’s plans to invest around £31 billion in the electricity transmission network in England and Wales between 2026 and 2031.

The proposed investment comprises £2.3 billion across six projects already submitted through National Grid’s May re-opener and progressing through Ofgem’s assessment process, as well as a further £2.2 billion of investment proposed through the October submission.

The investments would help increase network capacity, maintain system resilience, and ensure the electricity network is ready to accommodate increasing levels of clean power generation and demand, including from new industries and technologies.

Together with the first phase of re-opener submissions to Ofgem in May, the proposals reflect the scale and pace of investment needed to keep Britain’s electricity network fit for the future.

The projects have been developed through detailed planning and engineering assessment work to identify the most appropriate solutions to meet network needs, helping to deliver value for money and keep long term costs down for consumers.

Under the RIIO-T3 framework, re-openers provide a route for transmission owners to seek regulatory approval and funding for investments that were not sufficiently developed for Ofgem to assess when the price control was agreed. Ofgem will now assess the submissions before deciding whether each should be approved.

Rob Salter-Church, regulation director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, said:

“As Britain’s electricity needs evolve, it’s vital that the network develops ahead of that demand. Our proposals set out investment needed to increase capacity, maintain resilience and support future growth across England and Wales. Together with the submissions we made earlier this year, they form an important part of our plan to invest around £31 billion in the transmission network by 2031.

“We will continue to work closely with Ofgem throughout the assessment process to help ensure the right investments are approved and delivered efficiently, providing long term benefits for consumers, communities and the wider economy.”

Alongside progressing these new submissions, National Grid continues to engage constructively with Ofgem on the May re-opener applications through its draft determinations consultation.

Find out more about National Grid’s RIIO-T3 re-openers

*Figures for re-openers are in 2023/24 prices, in line with Ofgem’s guidance for RIIO-T3 price control submissions

The €150 million transaction is executed through a new blockchain-based platform developed by ioBuilders together with the two banks and represents a major technological step forward in the digitalisation of the syndicated loan market.

Madrid, 15 October 2026.

Iberdrola, BBVA and Santander arranged a €150 million corporate syndicated financing facility, managed entirely using distributed ledger technology (DLT), commonly known as blockchain. The transaction marks a milestone for the financial market as the first live syndicated loan whose entire lifecycle, from execution and disbursement through to the management of interest, waivers, repayments, assignments and maturity, is administered using this technology. The transaction aligns with Iberdrola’s digital transformation strategy, which places innovation, data and emerging technologies at the heart of its efforts to drive efficiency and streamline financial and treasury processes. Gómez-Acebo & Pombo acted as legal advisers on the transaction.

The digital infrastructure enables participating institutions to share and maintain a single, synchronised and immutable record of information, replacing reconciliation processes between separate databases with a single shared source of information. This technology improves transaction traceability, reduces the risk of operational errors and facilitates more efficient management of syndicated financing, enabling the various participants to interact in an orderly manner under the operational control of the agent bank appointed for the financing.

Throughout the life of the loan, the platform manages the main contractual events in a coordinated manner, including the calculation and notification of interest, payments of principal and fees, early repayments, monitoring compliance with agreed financial covenants and information undertakings, the processing of certain contractual consents, and transfers of participations between lending institutions. All these events are recorded on the DLT infrastructure and are visible in real time to authorised participants.

The application of distributed ledger technology to the syndicated loan market makes it possible to simplify the management of financing lifecycles, reduce operating costs, improve coordination between institutions and increase the efficiency of one of the most important segments of corporate financing. It may also help increase market liquidity and facilitate access to this type of financing for mid-sized companies by simplifying processes that have traditionally limited their participation in these transactions.

The transaction was managed through the platform developed by ioBuilders with the support of BBVA and Santander to digitalise the management of syndicated financing. Following this first transaction, the institutions will work on progressively onboarding new participants and expanding the platform’s functionalities, with the aim of moving towards a shared infrastructure for the syndicated loan market. The goal is to harness the potential of distributed ledger technology to modernise one of the most important markets in corporate finance, traditionally characterised by a high administrative burden and intensive coordination among multiple participants, including the agent bank, lending banks and the client.

Rob Kay, Global Head of Investment Grade and Emerging Markets Debt at Santander CIB, said: “Innovation is part of Santander’s DNA. This transaction represents an important step forward in the evolution of syndicated financing, demonstrating how DLT-based technologies can bring greater efficiency, transparency and traceability to complex financial processes. It also highlights how digital assets are already generating tangible value for the business and contributing to the transformation of financial markets. At the same time, it lays the foundations for an industry collaboration model with the potential to redefine different aspects of corporate financing.”

Alberto Falco, Head of Portfolio Monitoring and Innovation at BBVA CIB, said: “This transaction reflects BBVA’s commitment to the digitalisation of financial markets. Blockchain technology enables a particularly significant transformational leap in syndicated loans, a product that has traditionally seen limited digitalisation and has been accessible to very few clients. By combining the advantages of DLT as an immutable record with the programmability of smart contracts to automate operational processes, our ambition is for this platform to become a meeting point that other institutions can join to help drive the syndicated loan market.”

“The adoption of blockchain technology in financial environments is increasingly becoming a reality thanks to the benefits it provides. With this transaction, we demonstrate that these advantages can also be extended to a live syndicated loan and its end-to-end management, with full legal validity and based on a single source of information shared by all parties. It is also worth highlighting that the technology underpinning this platform opens the door to more efficient management of financial institutions’ balance sheets, enabling new strategies for loan mobilisation in the secondary market,” said Carlos Matilla, CEO of ioBuilders.

While platforms like Spotify Kids, YouTube Kids, and the iHeartRadio Family app offer kid-focused audio experiences, TickTalk Radio takes a different approach, putting parents in greater control of what their children can access. TickTalk Radio is designed around curated, parent-approved station access, giving families more control over the listening experience. The result is age-appropriate entertainment that gives kids the freedom to enjoy music and audio content while keeping parents firmly in control of the experience.

"Caught in the parenting paradox, we built TickTalk Radio™ to solve a common parenting struggle: how to give kids access to music without opening the door to unrestricted streaming platforms," said Ying Gong, CEO of TickTalk Tech. "This gives children a fun, safe, and age-curated audio experience tailored to their growing independence, while giving parents total peace of mind through complete content controls, zero ads, and no open internet browsing."

Reimagining Kids' Audio: Curated by Age. Filtered by You. Made for Kids.

Unlike unrestricted, general-audience streaming services adapted for younger listeners, TickTalk Radio™ was built from the ground up for kids' devices in partnership with Feed.fm. Feed.fm provides the B2B music infrastructure that powers the end-to-end TickTalk Radio experience by combining pre-cleared, fully licensed major-label and science-backed wellness tracks, expert human curation, age-appropriate filtering, and turnkey streaming technology.

"Kids deserve the joy and discovery that comes with music, without requiring parents to open the door to a full consumer streaming experience," said Lauren Pufpaf, President and COO of Feed.fm. "TickTalk Radio shows what's possible when music is thoughtfully designed for a specific audience, combining licensed music, age-aware curation and parental controls in an experience built specifically for kids."

Key Features of TickTalk Radio™:

- Built Specifically for Kids & Families: Purpose-built for young listeners rather than retrofitting general consumer streaming apps.

- Tiered Age Curation & Higher Safety Standards: Developed in partnership with Feed.fm, the parent-approved stations are structured across three distinct developmental tiers: Junior (ages 3–5), Explorer (ages 6–9), and Tween (ages 9–12). Content moderation goes beyond standard clean/explicit labels by filtering for both language appropriateness and thematic maturity. Fresh content added regularly.

- True Parental Control: Through the redesigned TickTalk Parent App, parents can manage or oversee preferences, preview any station, enable or disable individual channels, set daily listening duration limits, and adjust access as their child grows.

- Entertainment + Daily Utility: Features popular, fully licensed major-label music alongside science-backed wellness tracks designed to help children cultivate healthy daily routines around calm, focus, sleep, and mindfulness.

- Focus Mode Guardrails: Parents can activate Focus Mode during homework hours or bedtime, limiting audio access strictly to Wellness Stations so music supports routine without becoming a distraction.

- Bounded & Ad-Free Experience: Operating in a completely closed system with zero ads, zero algorithmic social feeds, and no open search functionality, ensuring a safe and contained experience.

- Music Distribution Innovation: Represents a groundbreaking distribution opportunity for the music industry, bringing fully licensed, major-label music to kids' connected wearables in a purpose-built environment, without exposing them to open streaming services.

- Global Connectivity & Cloud Migration: Built-in eSIM activation and optional global travel connectivity ensure uninterrupted access to wellness streaming content anywhere families go.

- Complete Family Ecosystem: TickTalk Radio™ operates seamlessly alongside the expanded hardware and software suite of the all-new TickTalk 6, integrating FaceTalk™ video calling, Real SMS, TickTalkie™ walkie-talkie communication, AI SmartPin™ location tracking, global eSIM connectivity, and free T-Cloud™ data migration for a secure, unified experience.

What Parents Are Saying:

"It's so helpful (and reassuring) as a parent to still have total control 'behind the scenes' while letting her explore her independence at a pace I feel comfortable with." — Shanna Wandmacher, Parent Tester

"The music selection is fun, diverse, and all three of my boys found stations they loved. The parental controls also give parents peace of mind and confidence that their children are listening to safe, age-appropriate content." — Samantha Archer, Parent Tester

Pricing and Availability

- At $169.99, TickTalk 6 is in stock at myticktalk.com and Walmart, now rolling out on Amazon, with Best Buy coming soon.

- TickTalk Radio™ Subscription: Included as part of the TickTalk Wireless Premium plan, or available as an add-on service for $4.99/month (music availability subject to licensing and territory).

- Exclusive Press Access & Media Preview Streaming: Members of the press can request access to stream TickTalk Radio™ via dedicated, password-protected web landing pages featuring embedded music players. This enables journalists and reviewers to experience the distinct Junior, Explorer, and Tween age tiers alongside dedicated wellness programming, thus getting the music experience without the need to test the device. 

About TickTalk

TickTalk is a leading kids' smartwatch and family communication platform designed to help children gain independence while helping families stay connected without giving kids a smartphone. 

Built around its mission, Communication First. Safety Always., TickTalk brings together safe calling and messaging, FaceTalk™ video calling, location and safety tools, parental controls, wireless connectivity, age-appropriate content, cloud services, protection, and family support through one connected ecosystem.

TickTalk products are designed specifically for children ages 3 to 12, with no social media, no open internet, and no unnecessary digital distractions. For more information, visit myticktalk.com or follow @myticktalk on Instagram.

About Feed.fm

Feed.fm is a music technology platform that makes it easy for apps and connected devices to offer licensed, curated music. We handle the complexity behind the scenes, including music rights, curation, content delivery, and compliance. Our proprietary five-tier music rating system (Safe, Mild, Teen, Adult, Extreme) evaluates tracks for thematic maturity as well as language. That goes beyond standard clean and explicit labels, so brands can build age-appropriate, family-friendly listening experiences. Feed.fm's Branded Music Service powers white-label, in-app music for companies across kids and family, health, wellness, fitness, and other digital experiences. Learn more at www.feed.fm.

SOURCE TickTalk

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VIENNA, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fibocom is showcasing its latest FWA and smart connectivity portfolio at Network X 2026, bringing together customer deployments and new technologies designed for the next generation of broadband and intelligent devices.

Fibocom's established FWA footprint was highlighted through customer devices showcased at the event, together with a portfolio spanning 5G and 5G-Advanced modules, CPE, ODU and MiFi solutions.

Building on this foundation, Fibocom is introducing new capabilities for higher-performance wireless broadband. Its flagship FG390 5G-Advanced FWA module now extends support to the Upper 6 GHz spectrum. The new FG390-MEA-30, powered by the MediaTek T930 platform, supports NR n104 through a new hardware design and enables coordination between Upper 6 GHz and Sub-6 GHz.

FG390 has also been shortlisted for the Network X Awards 2026 Best Indoor Connectivity Solution, with its PC1 high-power capability highlighted as a key technical feature.

Fibocom is also demonstrating an X85-based 5G FWA solution paired with Wi-Fi 7. With the FG200 now ready for engineering samples, the demo reflects Fibocom's ongoing evolution toward 3GPP Release 18 and higher-performance broadband platforms.

Beyond broadband connectivity, the SC153 5G smart module brings together 5G, computing and multimedia capabilities for payment terminals, industrial handhelds, office devices and other intelligent endpoints. It is built on the Qualcomm Dragonwing™ Q-4390 platform.

Fibocom is also expanding 5G into lighter device categories. The 5G RedCap MiFi PCBA, now in small-scale commercial deployment, provides a compact option for portable broadband devices with more balanced requirements for performance, power consumption and integration.

"Europe is entering a new phase of network evolution, and Fibocom is working closely with partners across the region to help customers prepare for what comes next. By combining advanced connectivity with edge computing capabilities, we enable customers to accelerate deployment, support network upgrades, and bring greater intelligence to connected devices," said Shining Xu, Senior Vice President of Fibocom.

About Fibocom

Founded in 1999, Fibocom is China's first wireless communication module company listed on both the A-share and H-share markets. Leveraging wireless communication and AI as its core technologies, Fibocom provides integrated hardware and software solutions spanning cellular, AI, automotive and GNSS modules, AI toolchains, AI Agent, global connectivity and cloud services, supporting industries including robotics, consumer electronics, intelligent transportation, smart retail and smart energy.

SOURCE Fibocom

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GETO Showcases Green Formwork and Modular Building Solutions at the 140th Canton Fair

GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GETO is bringing its full portfolio of green building formwork and scaffolding, prefabricated construction and modular housing solutions to the 140th Canton Fair, presenting a connected platform for customers seeking safer, faster and more efficient construction worldwide. At Phase 2 of the fair, running from October 23 to 27 in Guangzhou, GETO will exhibit across two booths: the formwork and scaffolding booth in Hall 13.1, F05-07 and E41-42, and the modular housing booth in Hall 12.0, B03.

Featured exhibits

- Aluminium formwork sample house: Demonstrates a house assembled using aluminium formwork, highlighting its modular design and efficient installation.

- Steel tunnel formwork: Features a tunnel-like structure, enabling walls and slabs to be cast simultaneously, ideal for beamless shear-wall villas and apartments.

- Aluminium column formwork: Highly standardized and reusable for efficient column construction.

- Ringlock scaffolding: A safe, efficient and reusable support system for infrastructure and complex structures.

- Bridge formwork solutions: Designed for the support and shaping of demanding bridge projects.

- PPVC Molds model: Enables high-precision, consistent factory production of 3D room modules for efficient on-site assembly.

Alongside the physical samples, GETO presents a 3D model area covering a guide frame platform, a retractable loading platform designed for multi-storey and high-rise projects, a bridge and a steel structure model. A series of photovoltaic models includes a sunroom, a photovoltaic panel, a high-gloss blue photovoltaic panel, an energy storage cabinet and a solar street light, presenting GETO's one-stop approach to commercial and industrial photovoltaic, storage and charging, alongside its prefabricated and modular building capability.

About GETO

GETO focuses on green building formwork and scaffolding, prefabricated buildings, modular housing and construction materials. It operates more than 10 production bases worldwide and serves more than 70 countries and regions.

Visitors are welcome at Hall 13.1, F05-07 and E41-42, and Hall 12.0, B03, to explore the complete product lineup and discuss how GETO can support projects around the world.

Contact:

Website: https://www.getoformwork.com/

Email: [email protected]

WhatsApp: +8613702787366

SOURCE GETO

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Leader in Freelancer Management Systems recognized for compliant, global contractor engagement at scale at The Contracting Awards 2026.

NEW YORK and LONDON, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- YunoJuno, the Freelancer Management System (FMS) for global enterprises that powers the entire contingent worker lifecycle, has been named International Contractor Services Provider of the Year at the annual Contracting Awards. The win marks YunoJuno's third consecutive year leading the category, following awards in 2024 and again in 2025 as part of a double win for Best Contractor Innovation.

The award comes as more businesses build international teams of contractors to access specialist flexible skills and move faster than local hiring allows. As these teams operate across numerous jurisdictions, enterprises look for a partner that can carry the compliance responsibility. YunoJuno compliantly engages independent contractors and indemnifies the end client against classification risk, giving enterprises the confidence to scale their global contractor workforce.

"Winning this category three years running reflects a sustained and rapid investment in making international contracting simple for the businesses that depend on it," said Runar Reistrup, CEO of YunoJuno. "Every step in our roadmap this year has been built around removing the operational and legal complexity that enterprises normally face with a global contractor workforce, while managing and eliminating the risks involved."

International Contractor Services Provider of the Year recognizes excellence in supporting contractor engagement across countries, judged on compliance, scale, payment infrastructure and the overall experience delivered to both enterprise clients and the contractors they engage.

The judging panel specifically recognized YunoJuno's:

- Global Reach and Scale: A network of more than 150,000 pre-vetted contractors across 165+ countries, connecting talent with over 12,000 businesses including numerous Fortune 500 enterprises.

- Expanded W2 Capabilities: A fully managed US Employer of Record (EOR) solution bringing the US engagement lifecycle in-platform, removing the need for enterprises to navigate employment law, payroll and tax documentation across separate external systems.

- Built-in Global Compliance: Automated worker classification workflows and indemnification coverage to help enterprises mitigate contractor misclassification risks.

- Multi-Currency Payments: Auto-generated invoices and real-time status tracking, simplifying payment management for businesses and contractors.

"Managing compliance risk when engaging independent contractors internationally is one of the biggest challenges facing enterprise workforce leaders," said Joao Martires, Chief Operating Officer at YunoJuno. "Our focus has been on building the compliance processes and infrastructure that give enterprises complete visibility and control when engaging contractors globally. This award recognizes the unseen work our teams have put into making that possible."

The latest win follows a significant period of growth for YunoJuno, which achieved its first full year of profitability alongside 45% revenue growth in 2025, driven by international expansion and increasing enterprise demand.

YunoJuno was also recognized as the highest Leader and a Star Performer in Everest Group's 2026 PEAK Matrix® Assessment for Freelancer Engagement and Management Systems (FEMS). In Everest Group's Contractor of Record (CoR) and Contingent Employer of Record (CEoR) Solutions PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2026, YunoJuno was recently named a Leader, further reinforcing its position in the global contractor management market.

About YunoJuno

YunoJuno is the leading global end-to-end Freelancer Engagement and Management System (FEMS) that helps enterprises source, onboard, manage, and pay contractor talent with complete compliance and transparency. YunoJuno's AI-powered technology streamlines the entire contractor engagement process while mitigating compliance risks, currently serving 12,000 businesses and hundreds of thousands of independent contractors and freelancers globally.

For more information, visit www.yunojuno.com

SOURCE YunoJuno

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AI proves its worth in banking - 29 percent would rather talk to AI about sensitive money matters: EOS Group Reports

- 46 percent of European consumers report improved communication with their bank through AI.

- 29 percent would prefer speaking with AI rather than a human when discussing sensitive financial topics.

- 61 percent want proactive AI alerts to warn of potential account overdrafts.

HAMBURG, Germany, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal advice has long been viewed as an essential part of banking relationships. This perception is shifting, as the latest EOS Banking AI Barometer reveals. The study examines how European consumers evaluate artificial intelligence in the banking sector. 46 percent report improved customer communication through AI support. Only 11 percent perceive a decline in service quality. Where technology genuinely helps, it is accepted. Nearly one in three respondents (29 percent) would prefer speaking with AI about sensitive banking matters rather than a human employee. Among 18-34-year-olds, this figure rises to 38 percent. However, the study indicates that AI still has limitations. Only 35 to 36 percent trust AI to understand their needs, act with precision, and solve problems effectively. Consumers show higher acceptance for information retrieval, speed, and availability. More than half of respondents (54 percent) value AI for helping them find information. Similarly, 51 percent praise faster communication and round-the-clock availability.

Despite these advantages, one key finding stands in contrast: 60 percent of respondents miss the human touch in AI communication. "46 percent of customers say service has improved through AI, only 11 percent perceive a decline. That is a clear signal for AI acceptance in customer service. But the 60 percent who miss the human element also tell us that AI alone is not the answer. The best banks use AI as a tool for better service, not as a replacement for relationships," says Marwin Ramcke, CEO of the EOS Group.

From information agent to financial coach

Respondents identify potential for AI-powered customer service, particularly in financially challenging situations. "Our study reveals a clear direction in the use of AI services: customers are ready to move beyond reactive AI. They're seeking intelligent anticipation. 61 percent want alerts warning of potential overdrafts, and 51 percent value AI-powered payment plan suggestions when facing outstanding receivables," explains the CEO of the EOS Group. Consumers who have previously experienced payment difficulties are notably more open to AI-powered support services from banks than the general population. Rather than simply responding to customer inquiries, AI systems could proactively warn of financial risks and recommend tailored assistance. "Customers are ready for smarter services – banks just need to deliver," Ramcke concludes.

About the study

For the EOS Banking AI Barometer study – How Europe really feels about AI in banking – 4,400 people in eleven European countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland, 400 respondents per country) were surveyed about their attitudes towards artificial intelligence in bank communications. The data was collected in July 2026, and the target group consisted of bank customers aged 18 to 65. The study was conducted online and was representative of the population. Find more information, infographics and downloads on the EOS Banking AI Barometer here.

About the EOS Group

The EOS Group is a leading technology-driven investor in receivables portfolios and an expert in the processing of outstanding receivables. With over 50 years of experience and offices in more than 20 countries, EOS offers smart services for receivables management worldwide. Its key target sectors are banking, real estate, telecommunications, utilities, and e-commerce. EOS employs close to 6,000 people and is part of Otto Group.

For more information on EOS Group: www.eos-solutions.com

SOURCE EOS Group

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The new ezW2 2026 software launches with e-file capability to streamline 2027 tax reporting.

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Halfpricesoft.com has announced the official release of ezW2 2026, designed to streamline W-2, W-3, 1099-NEC, and 1096 tax form preparation for the upcoming 2027 tax season. The updated software delivers versatile filing options, starting at $119.00 for single installations of the E-File version and $69.00 for the Print-and-Mail version. Both editions offer value by supporting unlimited forms for unlimited companies.

Get a jump start on the fast approaching 2027 tax season with the latest ezW2 software.

"Preparing year-end tax returns can be complex, but our goal with ezW2 2026 is to make tax reporting seamless and stress-free," said Dr. Ge, Founder of Halfpricesoft.com.

Dual Options for E-Filing W-2/W-3 to the SSA and 1099-NEC/1096 to the IRS

ezW2 2026 gives users full control over how they submit wage and nonemployee compensation data to government agencies, offering two flexible e-filing paths:

Option 1: Direct In-App E-Filing Service (Recommended)

- No Agency Accounts Required: Skip the lengthy application process for an IRS Transmitter Control Code (TCC) or SSA registration.

- Seamless Direct Transmission: Submit W-2/W-3 data directly to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and 1099-NEC/1096 forms directly to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with a few clicks right from inside ezW2.

- Automated Tracking: Submissions are processed through Halfpricesoft's authorized systems with real-time status updates and error monitoring.

Option 2: Self-Filing via Agency Portals

- Generate Native E-File Documents: ezW2 automatically generates approved electronic file formats (.txt) containing Form W-2/W-3 data for the SSA or Form 1099-NEC/1096 data for the IRS.

- Direct Portal Upload: Upload the generated file directly through your own SSA Business Services Online (BSO) account or the IRS FIRE/IR-TCC portal.

Core Features of ezW2 2026

- Data Import Capabilities: Quickly import employee, contractor, and payment details from external .csv files or spreadsheet formats to eliminate manual data entry.

- PDF Generation: Export employee W-2s and contractor 1099s as PDF documents for digital distribution.

Visit today download the ezW2 2026 demo and test for up to 30 days. ezW2 2026 is fully compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Windows Server systems, as well as macOS via virtual environments.

About Halfpricesoft.com

Halfpricesoft.com has been helping SMBs, accountants, and entrepreneurs simplify payroll and compliance for more than 20 years. Trusted by thousands of U.S. companies, the firm offers affordable, easy-to-use solutions including online and desktop payroll, employee attendance tracking, accounting, check printing, W-2/1099/1095 ACA form filing, and ezACH direct deposit software. Designed with business owners in mind, Halfpricesoft.com products make payroll processing and business management faster and easier.

SOURCE Halfpricesoft.com

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