LONDON – September 17, 2026 -- Sokin has released a Model Context Protocol (MCP) connector that links its licensed payment infrastructure directly to AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity, allowing finance teams to prepare cross-border payments without leaving the chat interface.

Riyadh – September 16, 2026 -- Thunes has expanded its Direct Global Network to add payout services across six Middle East markets, giving Members faster and more transparent access to bank accounts, mobile wallets, and cash pickup points in Bahrain, Lebanon, Oman, South Yemen, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates.

San Diego – September 16, 2026 -- ICW Group Insurance Companies joined thousands of volunteers across the United States to help pack an estimated 20 million meals for people facing food insecurity, marking the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 through a nationwide day of service organized by nonprofit 9/11 Day.

Tinley Park – September 16, 2026 -- Payroc, a global payment-processing acquirer processing more than $125 billion in card volume annually, has won four categories at The Digital Banker's Global Cards & Payments Innovation Awards 2026.

NEW YORK – – September 16, 2026 -- Wealth Management crowned the winners of its 2026 Industry Awards before more than 600 executives at Cipriani 42nd Street, capping a program that drew a record 1,392 nominations from 508 unique companies.

Amsterdam – September 16, 2026 -- Atradius Surety has launched operations in Canada, marking its first branch outside Europe as it targets rising demand for surety guarantees in construction, real estate and commercial sectors.

Atradius appoints Sam Halilovic to build Canadian surety business

On August 31, 2026, Sam Halilovic was appointed Senior Manager, Surety Canada. He will oversee the development of the company's Canadian operations, including broker and customer relationships, and drive Atradius Surety's long-term growth ambitions in the market.

London – September 16, 2026 -- Mayer Brown has recruited Scott Ashton as partner and Brian Bates as senior counsel into its Capital Markets practice, adding two attorneys who have represented issuers on roughly 30 percent of total cross-border U.S. private placement debt issuance in recent years. Both will be based in the firm's London office.

San Ramon, Calif. – September 16, 2026 -- California's surplus lines sector now writes roughly $24 billion in annual premium, with Lloyd's holding an 18% share of the state's excess & surplus (E&S) market in 2025, according to a new on-the-record discussion released by the Surplus Line Association of California (SLACAL).

Shenzhen – September 16, 2026 -- Tencent Music Entertainment Group has closed a US$1,000 million senior unsecured notes offering, netting approximately US$991.9 million after underwriting discounts and expenses.

TME splits offering into two tranches maturing 2031 and 2036

The offering consists of US$500 million in 5.050% notes due 2031 and US$500 million in 5.650% notes due 2036. The notes are registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and are set to list on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on September 11, 2026.

Chicago – September 16, 2026 -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (CBOE) will send four top executives to present at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference in New York City on September 16 at 12:00 p.m. ET.