KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Cooperative Finance Association (CFA) is proud to announce that it has officially earned its SOC 2 Type 2 certification. This significant achievement underscores CFA’s unwavering commitment to operational excellence, security, and trust, further strengthening its position as the premier provider of agricultural input financing through its innovative loan origination software platform, Field Finance.

The SOC 2 Type 2 certification demonstrates that CFA’s systems and processes meet the highest standards for security, availability, confidentiality, processing integrity, and privacy. This milestone not only validates CFA’s internal controls but also reinforces its dedication to safeguarding sensitive client and partner information in an increasingly complex financial landscape.

Doug Richards, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer at CFA, “I am amazed by the incredible work of the entire CFA team in achieving this goal. I also want to recognize Oread Risk & Advisory for their exceptional partnership throughout this process. Having worked with them on SOC compliance several times over the years, I knew they were the right firm to guide us through this rigorous audit.”

Enhancing Field Finance and Strengthening Market Leadership

Field Finance, CFA’s cutting-edge loan origination platform, has been a game-changer for agricultural retailers and producers. By streamlining the financing process and offering unparalleled flexibility, Field Finance empowers users to access tailored solutions that align with their operational needs. The SOC 2 Type 2 certification further enhances Field Finance by providing clients with the assurance that their data is protected by industry-leading security measures.

“This certification is a testament to our commitment to delivering best-in-class financial solutions,” said Ross Johnson, CEO of CFA. “Field Finance has already set the standard for agricultural input financing by combining innovation with deep industry expertise. Achieving SOC 2 Type 2 compliance solidifies our reputation as a trusted partner and positions us as the clear leader in this space.”

A Milestone Built on Collaboration and Excellence

The successful completion of this certification reflects CFA’s dedication to continuous improvement and collaboration. It highlights the organization’s ability to adapt to evolving regulatory requirements while maintaining its focus on delivering exceptional value to clients.

“This accomplishment is a direct result of our team’s hard work and shared vision,” said Jordan Nussbaum, Chief Security Officer at CFA. “SOC 2 Type 2 compliance is not just about meeting a standard—it’s about demonstrating our ongoing commitment to protecting our clients’ data and ensuring operational integrity. This achievement reinforces our position as a trusted partner in agricultural financing.”

Looking Ahead

As CFA continues to innovate and expand its offerings, this milestone sets the stage for even greater success. The organization remains committed to upholding the high standards that earned this certification while driving growth through its Field Finance platform.

For more information www.cfafs.com 

About CFA
Founded in 1943, the Cooperative Finance Association (CFA) is a member-owned cooperative dedicated to providing innovative financial solutions for agricultural retailers and producers across the United States. Through its flagship platform, Field Finance, and strategic relationships with partners like CoBank, CFA delivers tailored financing options designed to empower rural communities and advance cooperative principles.

Oread Risk & Advisory https://oreadrisk.com

Media Contact:
Doug Richards
Chief Operating Officer & Chief Technology Officer
drichards@cfafs.com
816.686.7092

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SOURCE Cooperative Finance Association

OSAKA, Japan, April 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On April 13, 2025, the Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan officially opened, along with the China Pavilion held its opening ceremony. Representatives from the political and business communities of China and Japan, together with members of the construction committee of the Pavilion, gathered to witness its formal launch.

On the opening day, a dance drama Crested Ibis, commemorating the China–Japan friendship, and a traditional lion dance performance were presented at the Pavilion. These performances carried China’s sincere hope for peace and friendship in cultural exchanges.

The China Pavilion covers an area of approximately 3,509 square meters, one of the largest self-built pavilions by a foreign country at the Expo 2025 Osaka. The architectural design of the pavilion is inspired by China’s ancient cultural carrier of bamboo slips, ingeniously blending cultural symbols rich in meaning, such as bamboo, Chinese characters, and scrolls. The exhibition at the China Pavilion revolves around the theme “Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature – Future Society of Green Development.” It is structured around three main segments: “Harmony between Humanity and Nature,” “Green Mountains and Clear Waters,” and “Endless Life.” The segments serve as the narrative backbone, showcasing the traditional ecological wisdom nurtured by 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, while also highlighting the concepts and achievements of green development in the new era. The exhibition looks forward to a bright future where China works together with other countries in the world to build a harmonious community between humanity and nature. At the same time, the China Pavilion will organize a series of rich, diverse, and exciting activities featuring over 30 local regions and institutions from China. These activities aim to promote friendly exchanges between China and other countries.

At the opening ceremony, distinguished guests remarked that the China Pavilion fully showcases both the profound heritage of China’s 5,000-year civilization and the remarkable achievements of its high-quality development in the new era. They expressed particular anticipation for the pavilion’s national treasure-level cultural relics, lunar soil samples and other exhibits, while voicing hopes that Expo 2025 Osaka would strengthen mutual learning and exchange among all participants to achieve mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/_enozYbK2Uc?si=XdurgnWhAWg4AeXa

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SOURCE The China Pavilion of the Expo 2025 Osaka

HONG KONG, April 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) showcase a diverse range of emerging solutions for smart city innovation at the third edition of InnoEX, running from 13-16 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. ASTRI’s technologies on display include advancements in the low-altitude economy (LAE), smart manufacturing, smart mobility, and smart pharmacy, underscoring Hong Kong’s growing influence in the global innovation and technology (I&T) arena.

Driving I&T Collaboration

As Hong Kong’s leading R&D centre, ASTRI remains steadfast in its mission to accelerate I&T commercialisation, supporting industry transformation and enhancing operational efficiency, said Ir Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI. “At InnoEx, we engage with high-quality potential partners from home and abroad, exploring future partnerships through our cutting-edge, market-ready solutions,” he said. “ASTRI celebrates its silver jubilee in 2025. To mark this milestone, we have set up a ‘time-tunnel’ at our booth to reflect on ASTRI’s achievements over the past 25 years. As we enter a golden era for I&T development, we remain committed to leveraging technology for societal advancement, enabling smarter living and driving the development of new quality productive forces in Hong Kong.”

Ir Chris Chong, Acting CEO and Chief Operating Officer of ASTRI said ASTRI’s award-wining technologies have been well-received by the industry. To date, ASTRI has been granted 1,100 patents and has completed 1,500 technology transfers. “We are excited to exhibit at InnoEX once again to showcase our R&D outcomes. We look forward to fostering deeper collaborations among the government, industry, academia, researchers and investors. By working together, we can expedite the journey of I&T breakthroughs from laboratory to the market, further solidifying Hong Kong’s position as a global I&T hub.”

Showcasing Cutting-Edge Technologies

InnoEX is jointly organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). As Asia’s flagship I&T event, it has attracted distinguished visitors, including government officials and industry leaders keen to explore Hong Kong’s thriving I&T ecosystem.

Visitors to ASTRI’s booth (3C-E03) in Hall 3C are introduced to an impressive array of pioneering technologies that promise to transform industries and enhance quality of life. These include:

Smart LAE Delivery: This UAV-based solution delivers lightweight packages across urban areas with exceptional precision. Utilising ASTRI’s RSU-Assisted GNSS-RTK Visual/INS Tightly-Coupled Positioning Algorithm, the system maintains accurate positioning even amid NLOS disturbances. This enables the UAV to deliver critical medicine efficiently and reliably to patients during emergencies. By circumventing urban traffic congestion, ASTRI’s aerial delivery system significantly outpaces traditional vehicle-based delivery methods.

Smart Pharmacy: The Smart Pharmacy initiative was first outlined in the Hospital Authority’s Strategic Plan 2022-2027. In line with this visionary development, ASTRI has developed an innovative and effective Sensing Fusion Platform for Accurate and Smart Dispensing. The platform is designed to improve both the accuracy and efficiency of pharmacy operation in public hospitals, while alleviating the workload of frontline staff. To minimise the risk of human error, it introduces a range of unique features, including instant access to drug information, real-time monitoring of medication types and quantities, analysis of staff workloads and activities, and early warning alerts.

Smart Mobility with C-V2X: ASTRI’s Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology facilitates seamless communications between vehicles, pedestrians, roadside infrastructure, and networks. This ensures that road users receive timely reports and warnings, enhancing road safety effectively.C-V2X technology can be applied to real-time traffic monitoring, incident management, and route planning, significantly improving traffic efficiency. In the long run, C-V2X technology will play a crucial role in advancing autonomous driving by helping vehicles detect hidden dangers, further enhancing road safety and supporting the development of autonomous transportation systems.

Smart Mobility with Risk Map: The Risk Map System, co-developed by ASTRI and MTRC, provides an automated and efficient way for managing, monitoring and alerting the condition and position of trackside equipment, and ultimately to enhance maintenance efficiency and railway safety. The innovation won the bronze medal at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.

Smart Manufacturing with IndustriNET 5G: ASTRI’s invention, IndustriNet, facilitates time-sensitive communications over 5G network through novel time synchronisation methods. It enhances the capabilities of 5G networks, making them suitable for applications in smart manufacturing and smart transportation. The solution fulfils smart factories’ demanding requirements for high mobility and dependable wireless networking, expediting the advancement of new industrialisation. It garnered the gold medal at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.

Smart Manufacturing with TrainLite: As manufacturers increasingly seek to upgrade and transform their operations with technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), many face the challenge of lacking access to mature big data systems. To address this general industry pain point, the TrainLite platform empowers manufacturers to develop AI learning prototypes using limited datasets. This enables automated quality inspection on production lines at a lower cost while simultaneously enhancing production efficiency and quality. TrainLite’s technology is versatile and applicable across a wide range of products, including fabrics, printed circuit boards, chips, automobiles, and displays. It received the Special Award for Innovation – King Abdulaziz University at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.

Championing Innovation at the Forum

As a panellist at the “Tech-Driven Industry and Economy Conference Powered by HKSARG OASES” this morning, Ir Chris Chong shared insights into ASTRI’s successful R&D projects and demonstrate how technology transfer and commercialisation are turning innovative ideas into market-ready solutions. Tomorrow (14 April), he will take the stage as the moderator for the Innovation Forum: France-Hong Kong Shaping Green Efficiency, Smart Mobility & Digital Transformation, organised by Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau and Business France, to explore the role of technology in shaping future smart city.

Promoting Cross-Sectors I&T Partnership

InnoEX is running concurrently with the HKTDC Electronics Fair (Spring Edition). The two fairs bring together 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions, attracting global visitors to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange across industries.

ASTRI Corporate Website – https://www.astri.org  
InnoEX – https://www.hktdc.com/event/innoex/en

Photos Download: https://bit.ly/3FT2kGA 

About ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: Advanced Electronic Components and Systems; Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies; Communications Technologies; Intelligent Perception and Control Technologies, and IoT Sensing and AI Technologies. It is applied across six core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, Application Specific Integrated Circuits and Metaverse.

Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. ASTRI has transferred more than 1,500 technologies to the industry and has been granted over 1,100 patents in the Mainland, the United States, and other countries. For further information, please visit www.astri.org.

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SOURCE Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI)