วัน: 31 มีนาคม 2026

MACAU, HONG KONG, Mar 31, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings Limited (APE, Stock Code: 8400.HK), a Hong Kong-listed Macau company, together with Cartamundi, a global playing card manufacturing company from Belgium, signed a strategic cooperation agreement at the Macau International Environmental Cooperation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF) on March 27, 2026. The agreement lays the foundation for introducing advanced sustainable production technologies into Macau, marking the first step in BEE(R)’s journey under the banner “Global Brand - Made in Macau.”The strategic cooperation agreement for the “International Green Production Technology Introduction to Macau” was signed by Herman Ng, Executive Director and CEO of APE, and Jason Pearce, Managing Director of Cartamundi APAC. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Elaine Wong, Acting Chairperson of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Macao SAR; Yang Quanzhou, Deputy Director-General of the Economic Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Hoi Chi Leong, Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, Macao; Chan Long Seng, Deputy Supervisor of the Macao Chamber of Commerce; alongside Geoffroy de Myttenaere, CFO of Cartamundi Group, and Tony Chan, Executive Director and CFO of APE. This milestone signals a forward-looking partnership that will align international expertise with Macau’s vision for green innovation and economic diversification.Herman Ng, Executive Director and CEO of APE, commented: “We are proud to welcome Cartamundi into Macau through this cooperation. This collaboration not only offers our customers a more diversified product range, but also brings internationally renowned brands and advanced production technologies to Macau.”Jason Pearce, Managing Director of Cartamundi APAC, added: “Macau’s unique position as a gateway to Asia makes it the ideal platform for our next steps. Today’s agreement is only the beginning of a journey that will bring global innovation closer to Macau.”A Prelude to InnovationWhile today’s signing focuses on the strategic framework, the partners hinted at further developments to be unveiled in the coming months. This cooperation represents more than a business alliance — it is a commitment to shaping Macau’s role in global sustainability and high-tech industries.Strategic Cooperation Highlights- Sustainable Technology, Made in Macau: Agreement sets the stage for sustainable, high-efficiency production.- Driving Diversification: Integrating High-Tech and Green Innovation under Macau’s “One Center, One Platform, One Base” Vision.- Gateway to Global Markets: Positions Macau as a hub linking Europe, Portuguese speaking countries, and Asia.- Commitment to Responsibility: A shared pledge to innovation and a greener future.About Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings LimitedAsia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings Limited (APE), established in 2006 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 8400.HK), is a leading supplier of electronic gaming equipment and table solutions to casinos in Macau and across Asia. Beyond its core gaming business, APE is actively expanding into smart vending solutions in Macau, further strengthening its contribution to the region’s innovation economy.Website: apemacau.comAbout CartamundiCartamundi Asia Pacific is part of Cartamundi Group, a seventh-generation family-owned company headquartered in Belgium. With a global network of 12 close to market manufacturing facilities, design centers, and sales offices across four continents, Cartamundi partners with leading Integrated Resorts worldwide to deliver premium gaming solutions. Its strategy focuses on sustainable, profitable growth, ensuring we preserve our planet and our legacy for generations to come.Website: cartamundi.comMedia ContactVictoria ManPublic Relations, Cartamundi & Asia Pioneer EntertainmentTel/Whatsapp/WeChat: +853 63952307Left: Herman Ng, Executive Director and CEO of APERight: Jason Pearce, Managing Director of Cartamundi APAC Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

HONG KONG, Mar 31, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - AEON Credit Service (Asia) Company Limited ("AEON Credit" or the "Group"; Stock Code: 00900) today announced its annual results for the year ended 28th February 2026 ("FY2025/26" or the "Reporting Year").During the Reporting Year, revenue of the Group increased by 3.8% year-on-year to HK$1,825.4 million (FY2024/25 or the “Previous Year”: HK$1,759.3 million), as domestic consumption gradually recovered and effective marketing initiatives were implemented to boost sales. Meanwhile, with cost-to-income ratio decreasing to 44.5% (FY2024/25: 46.6%), operating profit before impairment losses and impairment allowances rose 8.7% to HK$957.7 million (FY2024/25: HK$881.2 million). Owing to the Group’s effective portfolio management mechanism, impairment losses and impairment allowances decreased by 5.5% during the Reporting Year. Consequently, profit for the year was up 16.9% to HK$468.2 million (FY2024/25: HK$400.5 million).The Board has recommended a final dividend of 33.0 HK cents per share (FY2024/25: 25.0 HK cents per share), bringing the total dividend for FY2025/26 to 58.0 HK cents per share, representing a dividend payout ratio of 51.9%.In response to the uncertain market conditions, the Group adopted a prudent portfolio management strategy in FY2025/26, which involved balancing customer base expansion with credit risk mitigation. The Group recorded steady overall sales growth of 7.7% compared with Previous Year, driven mainly by successful targeted marketing programmes and effective tele-marketing activities. Gross advances and receivables balance increased by 8.0% to HK$7,912.7 million as at 28th February 2026. Effective credit risk monitoring further improved asset quality, with the percentage of doubtful (“Stage 2”) and loss (“Stage 3”) receivables to gross advances and receivables decreased to 3.9% as at 28th February 2026 from 4.2% as at 28th February 2025.In terms of operational digitalisation and card security, the Group continued to enhance its “AEON HK” mobile application (“Mobile App”), including the introduction of in-app authentication for e-commerce transactions and a card-on/off security feature. The Group also integrated loan application functions from various channels, including the Mobile App, to offering customers a more seamless and secure experience.  In addition, the Group commenced the “One AEON Point” project, an integrated loyalty platform designed to unify reward points to customers, initially across AEON’s various businesses. Regarding information technology, the Group completed the Internet Protocol Contact Center (“IPCC”) project to enhance its call centre operations.Meanwhile, the Group made significant progress in its sustainability initiatives, including launching its first “AEON Green Personal Loan” and securing a HK$300 million sustainability-linked syndicated bank loan. The Group also obtained its first Corporate Sustainability Assessment (“CSA”) score from S&P Global ESG Rating, which placed the Group ahead of over 80% of its global peers.Looking ahead to 2026, the Group will prioritise sales and quality receivables growth through local and online spending, with a key strategic focus being the launch and implementation of the “One AEON Point” platform. Serving as the cornerstone of the “AEON EcoZone”, “One AEON Point” will drive cross-business synergy, elevate the value proposition of the Group’s financial services with retail partners, and attract a larger customer base. Alongside customer-focused initiatives, the Group will strengthen Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) adoption across the entire customer journey to deliver more seamless, efficient and personalised services. The Group will further streamline its credit assessment processes by shortening electronic Know-Your-Customer (“eKYC”) screening time and embedding additional application scoring for automated credit card and personal loan approvals. At the same time, digital communication tools such as WhatsApp will be adopted to enhance customer interaction. In parallel, the Group will revamp its customer service operations by centralising the management and tracking of customer enquiries across all channels, thereby enabling a faster response to meet customer expectations.Mr. Wei Aiguo, Managing Director of AEON Credit, said, "Throughout FY2025/26, we remained dedicated to delivering exceptional credit services and expanding our customer base through innovative and tailored financial solutions. We are encouraged by our ability to drive growth and deliver a robust financial performance despite lingering market uncertainties. Guided by our purpose of ‘bringing finance closer to everyone’, we aim to enhance customers’ everyday experiences by offering peace of mind and building long-term trust throughout their financial journey. We will continue to maintain our asset quality, maximise returns and create shared values for the community, in line with our position as a trusted financial partner.”About AEON Credit Service (Asia) Company Limited (Stock Code: 00900)AEON Credit Service (Asia) Company Limited, a subsidiary of AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd. (TSE: 8570) and a member of the AEON Group, was set up in 1987 and listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in 1995. The Group is principally engaged in the finance business, which includes the issuance of credit cards, personal loan financing, card payment processing services and insurance intermediary business in Hong Kong, and microfinance business in Mainland China.For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.aeon.com.hk. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

TOKYO and TAIPEI, Mar 31, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - JCB Co., Ltd., the only international payment brand originating from Japan, together with its international operations subsidiary, JCB International Co., Ltd. (collectively, “JCB”), today announced that JCB-branded credit cards issued by Union Bank of Taiwan and Bank SinoPac will, for the first time outside Japan, support JCB Contactless payments via Google Pay, starting from March 31, 2026.About Google PayGoogle Pay is a contactless mobile payment service available on Android™ smartphones and other compatible devices. By adding credit cards or other payment methods, users can make payments conveniently using their smartphones and other devices. With built-in authentication, transaction encryption, and fraud protection, Google Pay helps keep your money and personal information safe.> Learn more about Google Pay (URL)Google Pay requires the Google Wallet app to be downloaded.Android, Google Pay, and Google Wallet are trademarks of Google LLC.About JCB Contactless PaymentsJCB Contactless is a contactless payment solution that enables cardmembers to complete payments simply by tapping their JCB Contactless-enabled cards, or smartphones with JCB Cards registered, on compatible contactless terminals. JCB Contactless can be used at a wide range of merchants and public transportation systems in Japan and overseas.For payments above a certain amount, cardmembers may be required to verify their identity by providing a signature or by inserting the card and entering a PIN, depending on the transaction conditions.> Learn more about JCB ContactlessAbout Union Bank of Taiwan and Bank SinoPacUnion Bank of Taiwan and Bank SinoPac provide comprehensive financial services in Taiwan, including the issuance of credit and debit cards.JCB has partnered with Union Bank of Taiwan since 2000 and with Bank SinoPac since 1998 to issue JCB-branded credit cards, and both banks have issued a substantial number of JCB Cards in the Taiwanese market.About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 71 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 175 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/ContactAnna TakedaCorporate CommunicationsTel: +81-3-5778-8353Email: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Houston, TX, Mar 31, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Epique Realty is proud to announce it has been named to Fast Company's prestigious list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2026. This year's list shines a spotlight on businesses that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations.Epique Realty earned the standing of No. 10 in the Business Services category on the 2026 Most Innovative Companies list.Josh Miller, CEO and Co-Founder expressed his appreciation, "We are humbled to receive this prestigious honor from Fast Company and believe it further proves that a brokerage built on empowering agents with technological generosity can and is transforming this industry. It is a tribute to every agent who believed in our vision and for our teams that work diligently to build a smarter, faster, and more connected future for all of us.""True innovation isn't just about software; it is about how that software improves human lives," added Janice Delcid, CFO and Co-Founder. "The unprecedented efficiency of our tech ecosystem allows us to fund our model of radical generosity. By providing our agents with free healthcare, a 401K, and over 70 essential business services, we are using technology to create real financial security for independent professionals.""At our core, we are a profoundly human-centric company powered by cutting-edge tools," stated Christopher Miller, COO and Co-Founder. "Our expansion into all 50 states, Canada and Australia this past year was fueled by our technology, but it is our culture of inclusion, mentorship, and agent-led philanthropy that truly makes us an innovative force for good in the communities we serve."Over the past 18 months, Epique Realty implemented a multi-faceted innovation strategy that fundamentally reinvented the value proposition and business model for the real estate industry. With an innovative mission to empower agents to thrive, Epique achieved its goal with a revolutionary financial model, a proprietary AI and tech ecosystem, and a deeply human-centric cultural framework. The cornerstone of this transformation is Epique.ai, a proprietary ecosystem architected in-house by CEO Josh Miller that functions as a 24/7 virtual assistant for every agent. This platform allows agents to instantly generate marketing copy, virtually stage entire homes, and create multi-platform ad campaigns, automating tasks that can traditionally consume up to 80% of an agent's time and budget. To ensure mass adoption, Epique began scaling its industry-first AIPRO certification program, successfully training over 2,000 agents, and giving every solo professional the enterprise-level AI toolkit of a massive team.This AI-powered operational efficiency serves as the economic engine that makes Epique's disruptive business model possible. By automating functions that typically require massive overhead, the brokerage can reinvest those savings directly back into its agents through a model of profound generosity. Instead of functioning as a fee-collecting service provider, Epique believes agents deserve more and acts as an investment partner by providing a comprehensive suite of over 70 essential business services completely free of charge. In the last year, Epique scaled this offering to include industry-first stability nets for all agents, such as full healthcare coverage, childcare support, and a 401K program, saving agents hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical costs.The scalability and power of this integrated ecosystem enabled Epique to flawlessly expand from a Texas startup into an international brokerage operating in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and Australia by 2025. This phenomenal growth Beyond geographical growth, Epique scaled a profoundly human-centric operating system, leveraging its lean, AI-driven operations to dedicate significant resources to agent-led philanthropic initiatives. Through programs like NEMO (National Emergency Management Organization) and Epique CARES, the company provides rapid disaster relief and community aid, proving that applied AI can be a powerful engine for creating not just profits, but profound, positive societal impact.The World's Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company's hallmark franchise and one of its most anticipated editorial efforts of the year. To determine honorees, Fast Company's editors and writers review companies driving progress around the world and across industries, evaluating thousands of submissions through a competitive application process. The result is a globe-spanning guide to innovation today, from early-stage startups to some of the most valuable companies in the world."Our list of the Most Innovative Companies is about spotlighting organizations that don't just adapt to change-they drive it," said Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. "The companies we honor this year are redefining what leadership looks like in 2026, pairing bold ideas with measurable impact and turning breakthrough innovation into real-world value. They are setting the pace for their industries and offering a blueprint for what sustained innovation can achieve."The full list of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies honorees can be found at https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies. It will also be available on newsstands beginning March 31, 2026.Fast Company will host the Most Innovative Companies Summit and Gala for honorees on May 19 in New York City. The summit features a day of inspiring content, followed by a creative black-tie gala including networking, a seated dinner, and an honoree presentation.ABOUT FAST COMPANYFast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow business publication Inc. For more information, please visit fastcompany.com.About Epique RealtyAs the industry's first AI-certified brokerage, Epique Realty is one of the fastest-growing, agent-owned real estate brokerages. Shaping the future of real estate, Epique now operates in all fifty states with nearly 4,000 agents, and with Australia and Canada on-board, global expansion is underway. Its revolutionary agent-first model provides over 70 unheard of free phenomenal benefits with a proprietary AI platform (Epique.ai), and a culture of profound generosity. Epique is harnessing technology to build a more equitable, empowered, and successful future for real estate professionals. #BeEpiqueBarbara Simpson | PR and Communications281-773-7842 | Barbara@EpiqueRealty.comhttps://www.instagram.com/epiquerealty/https://www.facebook.com/epiquerealtyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/epique-realty/mycompany/https://www.youtube.com/@epiquerealty#FCMostInnovative #FastCompany #BeEpique #EpiqueRealty #RealEstateInnovation #LetsChangeEverything #PropTech #AgentFirst #RealEstateTech #TheEpiqueEra #TheFutureIsEpiqueSOURCE: Epique Realty Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com