MUMBAI, India, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Microfinance Industry Network (MFIN) today launched “ASCEND – The Education and Advancement program in microfinance” Programme, an online initiative to build professional capability, promote responsible lending, and enhance customer protection in India’s microfinance sector. Designed for field officers, branch managers, and aspiring professionals, the programme aims to equip participants with essential knowledge in financial inclusion, regulatory compliance, credit appraisal, customer engagement, ethics, and digital transformation.

The Certification Programme was launched by Dr Alok Misra, CEO & Director, MFIN along with Dr Nirupam Mehrotra, Director, Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) & Mr Ramamurthy Krishnan, President & CEO, NSEIT. Mr Manoj Kumar Nambiar, Chairman, MFIN, Managing Director, Arohan Financial Services Limited and Mr Vineet Chattree, Vice-Chairman, MFIN & Managing Director, Svatantra Microfin Pvt Ltd and Mr Gyan Mohan, Director and CEO, Adi Chitragupta Finance Ltd were also present at the launch.

In collaboration with the Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) and supported by NSEIT’s secure digital infrastructure, the Certification Programme provides comprehensive, industry-relevant training for frontline officers and managers, preparing them to champion financial inclusion and client protection across the microfinance sector.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Alok Misra, CEO & Director, MFIN said: “Field officers are the backbone of the microfinance industry, connecting underserved communities to formal financial services. This certification program is a step towards recognizing their pivotal role, while providing them with guidance, knowledge, and ethical frameworks to serve clients better and foster responsible finance.”

The programme combines self-paced online modules with recorded expert sessions and live doubt-clearing interactions, offering a flexible and engaging learning experience. Participants engage with carefully curated content that includes case studies, regulatory updates, and practical insights tailored to the evolving landscape of rural development and banking. A robust assessment framework, featuring a comprehensive multiple-choice question bank aligned with key learning modules, ensures thorough evaluation. Certification is awarded upon successful completion of the assessments, with options for and extended learning support to help candidates achieve proficiency.

Key highlights of the program:

Online, self-paced learning format with access to downloadable content, recorded and live doubt clearing sessionsContent covering microfinance operations, regulations, technology integration, and client protectionProctored online assessments with industry-recognized certification jointly issued by MFIN and BIRDDesigned to build conceptual clarity, operational excellence, and ethical standards

This certification is part of MFIN’s broader capacity-building mandate to promote professionalism, enhance operational effectiveness, and drive a culture of client-centric, inclusive financial services across India’s microfinance ecosystem.

For more information on the Loan Officers Certification Program and enrollment details, visit MFIN’s website.

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JACKSON, Mich., May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a landscape crowded with agencies, Epic Blue Marketing is making waves as a creative force redefining how small businesses grow, market, and communicate. What started as a two-person freelance business driven by heart and hustle has now become a respected partner in digital strategy, public relations, and brand development in Southern Michigan.

Founded in 2019 by industry veteran, Devon Bradley Roof, Epic Blue is anchored in a simple but powerful philosophy: excellence is the expectation. With more than 15 years of experience spanning agency, non-profit, and corporate communication leadership, Roof has shaped Epic Blue into a trusted guide for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to amplify their visibility and impact.

What sets Epic Blue apart isn’t just what they do, it’s who they are. The agency was built around a unique pairing of deep communication expertise and advanced technical capability, giving clients direct access to high-level content strategy and custom website development without having to outsource to multiple firms. From there, the team has grown to include graphic designers, social media managers, and app developers; offering a full-spectrum creative partnership that’s rare among agencies.

“Most businesses are forced to patch together support from different service providers just to cover the basics; one for web development, one for marketing and PR, another for design. We built Epic Blue to simplify that process, bringing top-tier expertise across multiple disciplines into one trusted team.”

Clients also turn to Roof and her team for their consulting approach, which removes overwhelm and replaces it with clarity, direction, and actionable steps forward. Whether you’re launching something new or evolving an established brand, Epic Blue offers a full-service experience that feels personal, responsive, and tailored to each client.

“Our clients aren’t just accounts—they’re partners, and we treat their goals as if they were our own,” said Roof. “We step in as an extension of their team, offering not just strategy and execution, but genuine care and commitment. Building brands that last means showing up with consistency and integrity, and those values remain at the heart of everything we do.”

As Epic Blue Marketing continues to expand its offerings and influence, the agency remains deeply committed to its mission: to help small businesses not only compete—but lead. With momentum building and a reputation for delivering exceptional work, the small Jackson-based agency is quickly becoming a business to watch in Michigan’s creative economy.

To explore services or schedule a consultation, visit www.epicblueofficial.com.

About Epic Blue Marketing
Epic Blue Marketing is a Michigan-based creative agency that helps small businesses stand out through strategic branding, digital content, and public relations. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for empowering entrepreneurs, Epic Blue offers customized services that blend vision with execution. From bold brand identities and high-impact websites to story-driven PR and content strategy, Epic Blue equips businesses to grow with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Learn more at epicblueofficial.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Devon Roof
Epic Blue Marketing
517-474-1573
DevonB@epicblueofficial.com 

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SOURCE Epic Blue Marketing

Second ValorC3 Boise Facility Expands Capacity to Support AI Innovation and Enterprise Growth 

BOISE, Idaho, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ValorC3 Data Centers announces the company is set to break ground on a new data center in Boise. This will be Idaho’s most modern enterprise data center, paving the way for more AI-ready colocation and connectivity in Idaho. The facility will be the company’s second data center in Boise and its fourth overall across the U.S. The undertaking reinforces ValorC3’s ongoing investment in delivering modern colocation, cloud and connectivity solutions in one of the nation’s fastest-growing technology hubs.

The new Boise data center will deliver 10MW of capacity and feature the latest in sustainable building technology. Upon completion, the company will offer a total of 12MW of capacity in the market, enabling greater flexibility, scalability and performance for enterprises spanning energy, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and technology.

The new ValorC3 Boise data center is expected to be operational in 2027. It will feature:

Carrier-neutral facilityConcurrently maintainable infrastructureAir and liquid cooling capabilities with a closed-loop cooling system for minimal water waste, high performance and flexibility

“Boise continues to stand out as a strategic location because of its access to existing connectivity, power and talent, making it a great place for ValorC3 to expand,” said Jim Buie, CEO of ValorC3 Data Centers. “We’re committed to partnering with enterprises in Boise and across the Northwest to meet their growing needs for AI-ready infrastructure. This facility will help us deliver on that promise.”

ValorC3 has been meeting the needs of Boise-area businesses with low-latency connectivity since 2020, when it acquired Fiberpipe Data Centers. Many nationally renowned companies are headquartered in the Boise area. As the business community continues to thrive, reliable connectivity services will become even more important.

“The addition of ValorC3’s second data center will give our local businesses a distinct advantage as we continue to grow,” said Diane Bevan, President/CEO for the Idaho Technology Council. “The added services will support the expansion of existing businesses and strengthen our appeal for new enterprises looking to expand their operations.”

To learn more about ValorC3, visit valorC3datacenters.com.

About ValorC3 Data Centers

ValorC3 Data Centers is a modern colocation, cloud and connectivity partner positioned to elevate leading enterprises in their relentless pursuit of innovation and growth. ValorC3 powers complex and regulatory-driven industries by helping navigate the rapidly changing digital landscape through flexible, concurrently maintainable and agile infrastructure solutions.

ValorC3 owns and operates mission-critical, carrier-neutral data centers nationwide. The company is uniquely positioned to help clients evolve and meet the bold demands of AI and high-performance compute with low-latency networks, extensive expansion capabilities and decades of experience.

ValorC3 is part of the CVC DIF portfolio, a global infrastructure equity fund manager with over €19 billion of assets under management. CVC DIF forms the infrastructure pillar under CVC Capital Partners’ multi-strategy private markets platform, with cumulative assets under management of over €200 billion.

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SOURCE ValorC3 Data Centers