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Investment vehicle supports start-ups focused on the reduction of carbon emissions in aviation through sustainable aviation fuel research, technology and production

Fund starts with more than $100 million investment from United and its inaugural corporate partners like JPMorgan Chase, GE Aerospace, Honeywell, Air Canada, and Boeing

Customers can now see an estimate of each flight’s carbon footprint in their search on United’s website and app and can also contribute to supplement United’s investment in the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund when buying a ticket – first 10,000 people to add to the fund receive MileagePlus® miles as a thank-you

United has already invested in the future production of three billion gallons of SAF – the most of any airline in the world*

CHICAGO, February 24, 2023 /3BL Media/ – In an effort to rally businesses and consumers, United launched the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund SM, a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle designed to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel by accelerating the research, production and technologies associated with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The fund starts with more than $100 million in investments from United and its inaugural partners** Air Canada, Boeing, GE Aerospace, JPMorgan Chase, and Honeywell. Through the fund, these and potentially additional corporate participants will invest alongside United in SAF technology and production start-ups identified by United. In the past two years alone, United Airlines Ventures has invested in start-ups such as Cemvita, Dimensional Energy, and NEXT Renewable Fuels.

And in a first among U.S. airlines, anyone who buys a ticket on the United website or app now has the option to contribute to supplement United’s investment in the fund. The first 10,000 people who choose to contribute will each receive 500 MileagePlus Miles as a thank-you.

SAF is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that, on a lifecycle basis, reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with air travel compared to conventional jet fuel alone. SAF, which currently must be blended with conventional jet fuel to meet regulatory requirements for use within the aircraft, is being made from used cooking oil and agricultural waste, and, in the future, could be made from other feedstocks including household trash or forest waste. To date, United has invested in the future production of over three billion gallons of SAF – the most of any airline in the world.***

“Solving climate change is doable but it requires hard work and real leadership,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “This fund is unique. It’s not about offsets or things that are just greenwashing. Instead, we’re creating a system that drives investment to build a new industry around sustainable aviation fuel, essentially from scratch. That’s the only way we can actually decarbonize aviation.”

UAV Sustainable Flight Fund

The UAV Sustainable Flight Fund is open to investment by corporations across industries and the fund will prioritize investment in new technology, advanced fuel sources and proven producers, all in an effort to scale the supply of SAF. Partners of the fund also have the potential to gain preferential access to environmental attributes associated with United’s supply of SAF.

Companies interested in joining the fund can visit united.com/ventures.

United has already made investments in or signed purchase agreements with companies using a variety of ingredients and technologies to produce SAF, including feedstocks like ethanol, animal byproducts, forestry and crop waste, and municipal waste, as well as early-stage, promising technologies like synthetic biology and power to liquids. United Airlines Ventures will move selected existing SAF investments to establish the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund portfolio.

Consumer Awareness and Call to Action

United is also educating consumers about their air travel carbon footprint and giving them the option to take action.

Starting today on United.com and the United app, United becomes the first U.S. airline to show customers an estimate of each flight’s carbon footprint in their search. Green shading will indicate a lower-carbon option on a per economy seat passenger basis in a customer’s chosen itinerary. A flight’s carbon footprint is measured in kg CO2e (kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent) and United’s estimates, which could differ from actual flight emissions, are based on aircraft type, flying time, seat capacity and the number of people and cargo on a given flight.

And consumers who book travel through United for travel within or from the U.S. will now see an option to contribute to supplement United’s investment in the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund before check-out. Customers have the choice to contribute $1, $3.50 or $7.00.****

The default option for customer contributions is set at $3.50 to illustrate the potential impact of customer action at scale: if the 152 million people who flew on United in 2022 each contributed just $3.50 to the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund, that would be enough to design and build a SAF refinery capable of producing as much as 40 million gallons of alternative fuel annually.*****

The Federal Government Recognizes the Value of SAF

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act includes the largest governmental climate change investments in U.S. history – a new blender’s tax credit specifically for SAF along with other critical incentives for clean energy and carbon capture – that will help spur an increase in SAF infrastructure and supply while lowering costs for SAF consumers.

The U.S. military currently uses nearly five billion gallons of jet fuel annually and the Department of Defense will use a jet fuel blend containing at least 10% SAF by 2028 because of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.

And according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the country’s vast feedstock resources are enough to meet the projected SAF demand of the entire U.S. aviation industry.

United’s Commitment to Net Zero Emissions by 2050

United aims to be 100% green by reducing its GHG emissions 100% by 2050, without relying on traditional carbon offsets. In addition to the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund, United has launched a SAF purchasing program called the Eco-Skies Alliance and established a venture fund – United Airlines Ventures – to identify and invest in companies and technologies that can decarbonize air travel. These strategic investments include carbon capture, hydrogen-electric engines, electric regional aircraft and air taxis.

About United

United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” From our U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers. United is bringing back our customers’ favorite destinations and adding new ones on its way to becoming the world’s best airline. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”. For further information about our environmental impact, review United’s Corporate Responsibility Report and Annual Report on Form 10-K, available at crreport.united.com and ir.united.com.

MileagePlus Footnote Regarding Miles Awarded for Customer Contributions

Must be a MileagePlus member to receive miles. MileagePlus membership is free.

United Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to, among other things, plans and projections regarding the company’s financial position, results of operations, market position, capacity, fleet, product development and business strategy as well as the company’s ESG goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives and related business and stakeholder impacts. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our future financial results, plans, objectives, goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, known or unknown, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, plans, objectives, goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, any failure to meet stated ESG goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives in the time frame expected or at all as a result of many factors, including changing societal, market, competitive, regulatory or stakeholder expectations; any delay or inability of United Airlines or the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund (the “SFF”) to realize the expected benefits of the proposed transaction, including from a delay or failure of any project to be fully developed or become operational or to produce sustainable aviation fuel or other ESG-related product in the amounts contemplated or at all, or from a delay or failure of any technology to be fully developed or become functional or marketable or to serve the purpose for which it was designed, or a failure of the SFF to achieve any return on an investment by the SFF, or a realization of a partial or total loss of any investment by the SFF. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect United’s business and market, particularly those identified in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections in United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Risks and uncertainties related to United’s environmental compliance, climate commitments and climate strategy are further described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022—”We are subject to many forms of environmental regulation and liability and risks associated with climate change and may incur substantial costs as a result. In addition, failure to achieve or demonstrate progress towards our climate goals may expose us to liability and reputational harm.”

The statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulation, United Airlines undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. In particular, United Airlines reserves the right to change, amend, supplement or abandon some or all of the statements regarding goals, targets, commitments, strategies, initiatives, intentions and other statements from time to time without notice.

In addition, some of our disclosures in this press release are estimates or based on assumptions due to inherent measurement uncertainties. For example, United’s statement that it has already invested in the future production than any airline in the world is based on publicly available future purchase agreements for SAF of certain airlines as of the date hereof.

* Based on publicly announced airline offtake agreements for future purchases of SAF 
** References to “partner” refer to UAV Sustainable Flight Fund “limited partners” 
*** Based on publicly announced airline offtake agreements for future purchases of SAF 
**** Customers will not have any interest in United’s investments made with customer contributions (which will be commingled with United’s other investments in the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund), and customers will not participate in any gains or losses associated with United’s investments in the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund. 
***** United derived these approximated figures based on an illustrative capital expenditure benchmark of $200,000 per barrel per day to build a SAF production facility.

International Olympic Committee news

While the Olympic Games have become more gender equal, with women accounting for 48 per cent of athletes at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 expected to reach full equality, the number of female coaches at elite level remains remarkably low. Through this series, the IOC is highlighting female coaches who have broken those barriers and are inspiring younger generations. Cecile Landi, Simone Biles’ coach, is one of them.

Gymnast Cecile Landi, who competed for France at the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996, now coaches Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history. Landi has seen progress for women in many areas in and through sport, and says that – apart from in gymnastics – men have always had more airtime on television, but that this is changing. Women are finally starting to get the recognition they deserve.

This progress has been helped by the IOC’s work on scheduling, which has enabled women’s events to have the same broadcast opportunities in terms of timings and audiences. Increasing the number of women’s events in prime time across key territories can make a real difference in raising the visibility and prominence of women’s sport.

Meanwhile, with athletes such as Serena Williams and Biles reaching new heights in their respective sports, audience perceptions are shifting. “I think it’s shifting in the right direction because women are breaking boundaries and records,” Landi said, adding that many women are also getting commercial sponsorship.

“It’s shifting,” she said. “But you know, it could always be better.” Stereotypes still exist, for example, that maybe women are not as strong as men, she said. “I think mentally we can handle a lot more than some of the guys around.”

Women coaches understand the pressures on young women

As a gymnast herself, Landi – whose maiden name was Cecile Canqueteau – competed for France in the 1994 and 1995 World Championships and then at the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996. She retired from elite gymnastics in 1999 but competed for her club until 2002. She then spent four years coaching in France, before moving to the United States in 2004. In October 2017, she started coaching Biles along with her husband Laurent.

Landi says that, as a woman coach, she understands the pressures on young women, including diet and the changing body. Puberty helps male gymnasts, who become stronger, but can make life harder for the women. “And that is something that I had to go through, and I had to deal with, and it was not easy,” she says. “I think that’s why the girls can really relate to me a little bit more – that’s the female brain, the understanding.”

Safeguarding athletes and their mental health

Perceptions surrounding mental health have also changed dramatically over time. Mental health was not given much attention in the 1990s, but things have changed since then, says Landi. “Mental health was not real in the nineties for me. [If there was a problem] they would say to us things like: ‘you are lazy, you just don’t want to do it,’ or things like that,” she said.

Landi credits her French education with helping her to understand how negative comments can strongly impact children. The cases of abuse discovered in recent years have underscored the vital importance of safeguarding athletes and their mental health. “That’s when we saw that it did affect them [the gymnasts] way more than we ever thought,” she says. “Mental health became more and more [important].”

It was also another reminder of the very real risks facing athletes, especially women. The IOC’s 2021-2024 gender equality objectives place fresh emphasis on the safety of athletes. The IOC aims to ensure that athlete safeguarding is included at every stage of every Olympic Games.

“Talking with the girls [in my team], I think I just want to let them know that they can tell me anything,” says Landi, who says she watches the gymnasts’ body language a lot to understand how they are feeling, and talks with them if something looks off. “I don’t judge them,” she says. “[I tell them] if you need any help, I’ll go with you.”

HOUSTON, February 27, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, announced Monday a $50 million investment to support Texas’ only Black-owned banking institution as part of its commitment to supplier diversification and advancement of racial equity through meaningful change across four key values – grow, collaborate, lead and care.

The investment, made through a $50 million deposit in J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Empower share class, will support Unity Bank of Houston, a Minority Depository Institution Program (MDI). The Empower share class, founded in 2021, aims to support institutions such as Unity Bank in delivering ongoing positive change to underserved communities. MDIs help promote the growth of Black-, Hispanic- and Latino-owned small businesses. A Black-owned bank needs customers to thrive; however, due to a lack of assets compared to larger banks, these banks have been on a decline in recent years. Baker Hughes has held its corporate headquarters in Houston for decades and is proud to support Unity National Bank of Houston, the only Black-owned banking institution in the state.

“We have a responsibility to improve and support the communities in which we live and work,” said Baker Hughes Chief Financial Officer Nancy Buese. “As part of our commitment to increase supplier diversity and create lasting and sustainable change, this investment will enable Unity Bank to increase its offerings and drive meaningful impact within the communities it serves.”

“Unity National Bank is honored and enthusiastic about our collaborative relationship with Baker Hughes via Empowering Change, facilitated and led by our mentor and shareholder, J.P. Morgan,” said Kwame Nkrumah Cain, head of Strategic Initiatives & General Counsel at Unity National Bank. “I believe that Empowering Change is transformative to Unity National Bank and is indicative of Baker Hughes’ and J.P. Morgan’s commitment to strengthen Unity National Bank’s foundations and scale. I truly believe that J.P. Morgan’s and Baker Hughes’ mentorship, guidance and partnership will assist us in transitioning our community development efforts for the next generation and enable us to enhance and support economic development in low- and moderate-income communities.”

“I’m proud of Baker Hughes for prioritizing supplier diversity and continuously seeking to conduct business with minority-owned businesses,” said Lynn Buckley, Baker Hughes’ Supplier Diversity & Business Development Sourcing leader. “In 2022, we nearly doubled utilization of small and diverse businesses across the organization, and we hope to continue this trend in 2023.”

In partnership with Baker Hughes’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Treasury, and Supplier Diversity teams, the investment furthers Baker Hughes’ strategy of supporting organizations with shared values, demonstrated leadership, evidence of impact, financial soundness, and the capacity to implement initiatives and evaluate their success. In 2022, the Baker Hughes Foundation announced $1 million in grants to four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) for the 2022-23 academic year, part of the company’s long-running mission to promote education and opportunity in the communities where Baker Hughes employees live and work.

About Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com.

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For more information, please contact:

Media Relations

Adrienne M. Lynch
+1 713-906-8407
adrienne.lynch@bakerhughes.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 27, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Fifth Third Bank, National Association, recognizes the need for banking centers in Charlotte’s Historic West End and has made a long-term commitment to this community. In a continued effort to support the West End, the Bank has announced the location of a full-service banking center at 2340 Beatties Ford Road, which is expected to open in the summer of 2024.

“We want to be more than simply a corporate partner,” said Lee Fite, president, Fifth Third Bank, Carolinas Region. “While we have made great progress building relationships with those who call the Historic West End home, we want to continue to learn how we can be a real friend to the community and play a vital role in serving others to improve lives. The new branch on Beatties Ford Road is the next step in this partnership.”

The West End location will feature a drive-thru and the Bank’s Next Gen design. Construction is expected to begin in late summer or early fall of this year with Charlotte-Based McFarland Construction serving as the general contractor. The project will also utilize local sub-contractors who are part of the Fifth Third supplier diversity program.

“At Fifth Third Bank, we value diversity and inclusion,” states Gloria Samuel, director of project and program management for Fifth Third Bank. “We live this value in many ways within Enterprise Workplace Services and specifically through selection of construction partners. It is important to our business to have diversity of thought and experiences to achieve success in the ever-changing world of labor shortages, product delays and increased demand. Our team is committed to ‘be the change you wish to see in the world’ as best stated by Ghandi.”

The neighborhood-focused approach is one that Fifth Third embraces across multiple markets. Fifth Third Bank, Fifth Third Foundation and Enterprise Community Partners have established a $180 million neighborhood program to support and revitalize nine majority-Black communities across seven states that have experienced disinvestment. The Historic West End is one of the communities where the Bank is focusing efforts.

“The primary need in the Historic West End community is financial advisement and guidance,” said J’Tanya Adams, executive director, Historic West End Partners. “Having a full-service branch that is welcoming to residents and business owners on the corridor will help further the opportunities for Fifth Third Bank to continue to be a true community partner.”

This Next Gen branch features:

Mobile bankers using technology that allows them to meet and serve customers in a variety of settings. Rather than having teller “windows,” the new space gives employees the freedom to move around the lobby. Tablet computers encourage a more direct and personal way of serving customers.A tech wall with a dynamic digital screen.Flexible meeting and seating areas, with layers of privacy that can adjust depending on the need and the type of conversation taking place.

“This location is representative of our growth in the Carolinas and how we engage with our clients,” said Senior Vice President Tommy Lloyd, retail executive of the Carolinas, Fifth Third Bank. “The branch design focuses on an open environment equipped with the latest technology aimed at delivering personal customer service to provide the best experience and advice for our clients.”

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Member FDIC.

CONTACT

Amber Darnell
Amber.Darnell@53.com | 704-808-5016

Throughout the month of February, Qurate Retail GroupSM has been celebrating and supporting Black-owned and –founded businesses across on-air broadcasts and digital platforms in honor of Black History Month. Several new Black-owned brands spanning the culinary, beauty and home categories have launched this month on QVC® and HSN® and are available to shop year-round across both platforms. Here’s a closer look at some of the brands:

Bouffants & Broken Hearts: Get cozy with exclusive new products for QVC which feature fan-favorite illustrations from Kendra Dandy’s Bouffants & Broken Hearts. Sassy, provoking and colorfully radiant are just a few of the many ways to describe Kendra’s unique designs. An emerging product developer, Kendra launched Bouffants & Broken Hearts in 2012 and has turned her illustrations into a social media sensation which are licensed worldwide. Based in Philadelphia, Kendra specializes in both traditional and digital painting. Each original piece of artwork provokes an unexpectedly engaging conversation. Whether you gravitate to the cheeky style of the Graphic Tee Pajama Set or pop-art feel of the Notch Collar Printed Pajama Set, all of Kendra’s unique patterns and media mixing represent fun, style, humor and empowerment.LYS Beauty: LYS Beauty, the Black-owned, clean beauty cosmetics brand which caters to all skin types, has launched on QVC. Founded by Tisha Thompson in 2021, LYS Beauty’s mission is to dispel the myth that clean beauty, deep shade ranges and performance products, at an affordable cost, cannot coexist. The collection features some of the brand’s best-selling items like the Triple Fix Serum Foundation and the launch of the Love Yourself Eye Shadow Palette, exclusive to QVC. As a 17-year beauty industry veteran, with experience as a MUA, Tisha is on an unapologetic path to redefine beauty standards and make clean beauty accessible for all skin tones, types and textures.Lorna Maseko: Celebrity chef, cookbook author and YouTube TV personality better known as ‘Africa’s Culinary Princess’ Lorna Maseko has exclusively launched her culinary line at HSN. Lorna’s infectious enthusiasm, true passion for cooking and entertaining and keen eye for style make her one of today’s top go-to culinary forces, all while keeping a strong focus on empowering and inspiring women the world over. The quality, high-end, functional cookware collection transforms everyday cooking and entertaining into an experience of coming together to celebrate. Chic kitchen essentials like the 6-piece Knife Set with Clear Block and the 11-piece Forged Induction-Ready Cookware Set highlights the collection’s contemporary aesthetic which is infused with playful shapes, colors, materials and designs inspired by ‘Poetjie’, a traditional South African cooking vessel. Need more inspiration? Try Lorna’s new cookware with some of her recipes featured on HSN’s blog, the buzz.ChicNiCity: Nigerian American company ChicNiCity has debuted an exclusive new clothing collection at HSN. Launched in 2017 by CEO and Co-Founder Boye “Bibi” Asenuga, ChicNiCity offers women inclusive and wearable styles, with a brand commitment to providing clothing which honors culture and reflects modernity. The ready-to-wear line features design elements and silhouettes with ethnic-inspired colors and prints. Modern women seeking sophisticated fashion will love the chic, versatile styles like the Tori Midi Duster Cardigan and the Abbie Midi Shirt Dress. Boye is a trained lawyer, and apparel development and production consultant, with over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and School of Fashion Design in Boston where she was awarded “The 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award.”

To learn more about Qurate Retail Group’s commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, visit https://www.qurateretailgroup.com/lp/diversity-equity-inclusion/.

Congratulations to MDLZ China’s Suzhou plant for joining the esteemed league of manufacturers recognized as the Global Lighthouse Network by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Great job by our Suzhou plant for leading the way in driving productivity, quality, sustainability, and supply chain resilience through digital and advanced technologies.

Digitization’s key role in securing this prestigious title for China 

With a bold ambition to grow retail models, double store coverage and address the impact of inflation on labor and logistics costs, MDLZ China invested in 4IR (4th Advanced Industrial Revolution) digital solutions. The solutions allowed the team to transform into an integrated supply ecosystem, resulting in an improved OTIF by 18 percent, reduced lead times of 32 percent, and market-share growth.

A huge thank you to the cross-functional teams who worked through challenges and actively contributed to the plant’s digital transformation journey. This milestone has set China a step closer towards the BU’s digital ambition!

Originally published by the Cherie Blair Foundation For Women on cherieblairfoundation.org

The Foundation initially collaborated with Qualcomm Incorporated to support the expansion of our online Mentoring Women in Business programme across Asia. Qualcomm, as a leading wireless tech innovator is strongly aware of the potential tech holds for development, were an ideal partner. Through our strong relationship with mentoring, we realised the potential for us to extend our collaboration to investing in a new product – HerVenture, a mobile application that launched in Vietnam in 2018, – and bringing Road to Growth to Vietnam and Indonesia for the first time in 2020. While at the time, HerVenture was a far-reaching idea for making resources readily available to women entrepreneurs, the innovation continues to make a tremendous difference in people’s lives.

Continue reading here

What’s the news: The Un-carrier released its Scam and Robocall Report, sharing that T-Mobile’s Scam Shield identified or blocked 41.5 billion scam calls in 20221, a 75% increase from 2021. That’s a whopping 1,317 calls identified or blocked every second.

Why it matters: Scammers and spammers are constantly evolving their attack methods as wireless providers and regulators continue to fight back. Industry wide, Americans lost an estimated $39.5B to phone scams in 2022.

Who it’s for: Anyone looking to better protect themselves and their families against scammers.

BELLEVUE, Wash., February 24, 2023 /3BL Media/ – T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) today released its second annual Scam and Robocall Report, sharing new data looking back at 2022 to uncover insights related to scam, spam and robocall activity, as well as underscore how the Un-carrier helps to keep customers protected against these bad actors.

“At a time when scammers continue to get more creative and aggressive in their attempts, T-Mobile’s Scam Shield and advanced network protect our customers, identifying an average of 3.5 billion calls each month,” said Neville Ray, President of Technology, T-Mobile. “With scammers quickly evolving their tactics, we have to be just as fast at adapting our scam identification technology to fight back and keep customers protected.”

Scammer Behavior

Scammers are continuously upping their game to find new tactics and targets, with total robocall attempts  up 75% from 2021 to 2022. Scam call volume reached an all-time high in January 2022 due to a surge of caller retries resulting from the introduction of a new return code (608) mandated by the Federal Communications Commission. Then, scam call volume declined steadily each month throughout the year, with occasional spikes during seasonal scam surges. Several factors contributed to this decline, including ongoing improvements to scam protection technology like T-Mobile’s Scam Shield, agility by mobile operators to implement new prevention tactics and regulator intervention.

Scam Shield is leading the way in keeping wireless customers safe from scams. In June, Verizon said they blocked 5B robocalls in the first half of the year. In that same period, T-Mobile’s Scam Shield blocked an impressive 25B.

Common Scam Tactics

Scammers followed similar patterns from years past, targeting consumers more heavily on weekdays vs. weekends and heavily ramping up activity during the two weeks before Christmas (hello package delivery scams!). But even scammers need a break, accounting for why major holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Easter, and 4th of July saw the lowest scam traffic dropping anywhere from 80-90%.

Vehicle warranty scams dominated the first half of the year, with T-Mobile’s Scam Shield blocking nearly double the amount of scam and robocalls in the front half of the year – averaging 4.2B blocked calls/month – compared to the back half – which averaged 2.7B blocked calls/month. In July, an unprecedented FCC cease and desist identified eight wireless providers – not T-Mobile – in violation of carrying these calls, which effectively brought vehicle warranty scams to a halt.

Scammers never stay away for long, so as vehicle warranty scams went into hibernation, health and insurance-related scams quickly rose up to take their place. To maximize their profits, these bad actors adapted their tactics to target key moments throughout the year. Back to school? That’s prime time for student loan fraudsters and Amazon scams. Tax season? IRS-related scams reigned supreme.

Target Regions/Demographics

Scammers hit some states harder than others, with Texas, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina, and Oklahoma seeing the brunt of it, with victims often targeted by demographic and region. Texas received the highest volume of scam calls with insurance-related tactics targeting the uninsured and other unsuspecting victims. States with high senior populations like South Carolina are also key targets – imposters often mask as seniors’ aid staffers going after Medicare and other health-related scams.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

Built into the core of the network and free for all customers, T-Mobile’s leading patented Scam Shield technology provides the most powerful defense against scams. It updates protections every six minutes and identifies scam calls before they even reach a customer’s phone. When a threat is detected, customers either receive a “Scam Likely” warning or no disturbance at all by turning on Scam Block in the Scam Shield app or by dialing #662#.

The industry continues to see a rise in robotexts as a way to deceive unsuspecting victims. As scammers adapt and use new methods, T-Mobile continues to adapt as well, increasing investment in network level robotext protection. 

T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers can download the Scam Shield app on the App Store or Google Play and have a dashboard at their fingertips for all Scam Shield anti-scam tools.

This report comes from T-Mobile’s analysis of internal Scam Shield data. Scam Shield is available to T-Mobile customers with qualifying service and a capable device. Turning on Scam Block might block calls you want, and Scam Block can be disabled at any time. For more information on Scam Shield, check out https://www.t-mobile.com/customers/scam-shield. Follow T-Mobile’s Official Twitter Newsroom @TMobileNews to stay up to date with the latest company news.

1Source: T-Mobile Network Data

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About T-Mobile
T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com

Media Contacts
T-Mobile US, Inc. Media Relations
MediaRelations

Investor Relations Contact
T-Mobile US, Inc.
investor.relations@t-mobile.com
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SAN FRANCISCO, February 24, 2023 /3BL Media/ – United Airlines is partnering with Virgin Australia to connect U.S. travelers to the world’s largest celebration of Pride in Sydney with a special flight staffed entirely by members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Departing on Wednesday, February 22 from San Francisco International Airport, the festivities will kick off with a celebration at the gate, continue with giveaways and activities onboard the flight and culminate with a welcome party upon arrival in Sydney. While Virgin Australia has offered special domestic flights in Australia for Pride since 2021, this is the first time United is joining this effort. Additionally, United made a $25,000 donation to the Trevor Project to support their mission of helping LGBTQ young people.

“As a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community and the leading carrier from the U.S. to Australia, United is thrilled to join the party and help people celebrate the upcoming Pride events in Sydney,” said Lori Augustine, Vice President of Operations for United in San Francisco. “At United, we recognize, embrace and celebrate the differences that make our customers and employees unique. We’re committed to creating an inclusive work environment while supporting the diverse communities we serve. Our Pride Flight is yet another example of how at United, Good Leads the Way.”

“Virgin Australia launched our initial Pride Flight in the middle of the pandemic and fast forward to today, we have flights all over Australia, and our very first international Pride Flight from San Francisco with our wonderful partner, United Airlines,” said Jayne Hrdlicka, CEO for Virgin Australia Group. “It’s so important that we use our voice to promote diversity and inclusion in the communities in which we live, work and fly. Our partnership with United Airlines is incredibly important and it’s so wonderful to witness the collaboration between the airlines, and the joy we have brought our guests in spreading pride right across the Pacific and throughout Australia.”

United has an ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ equality, including a proud history of firsts. United was the first U.S. airline to fully recognize domestic partnerships in 1999 and was the first U.S. airline to offer non-binary gender options throughout all its booking channels in 2019. Also in 2019, the airline became the first public company to be inducted into Pride Live’s Stonewall Ambassador program in recognition of the airline’s commitment to LGBTQ+ equality. Through EQUAL, the airline’s LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group, more than 4,500 members work together to advocate on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, working with members and leaders companywide to develop ways to deliver resources, education and advocacy.

United continues to be committed to inclusion and supporting employees to be their full selves at work, which is why in 2021, the airline updated its appearance standards, moving away from gender-specific guidance and allowing customer-facing employees to represent themselves authentically through visible tattoos, nose piercings, hair, make-up, nails and more.

United is the Bay Area’s global airline, with more flights to more destinations around the world than any other airline in Northern California. United operates more than 200 daily departures from San Francisco International Airport, taking customers to more than 100 destinations around the globe, including the most international service with flights to 26 different international cities.

United is the country’s leading carrier to Australia and operates flights to three destinations in Australia through SFO including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. United provides more service to Australia than ever before and offers more seats from the U.S. to Australia than any other airline.

United’s partnership with Virgin Australia gives customers new connecting options to Australia’s most popular destinations, and MileagePlus® members have the ability to earn and redeem miles/points across both airlines’ networks.

United Flight 863 will depart SFO at 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22 and arrive at SYD at 9:05 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 24.

About United

United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” From our U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark/New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers. United is bringing back our customers’ favorite destinations and adding new ones on its way to becoming the world’s best airline. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.

By Doug Segrest

As Mykola and Olena Vyshyvanyuk escort new friends to their car, the stillness of the suburban night is briefly interrupted by an almost imperceptible sound in the distance: the wail of an ambulance siren headed to a nearby hospital.

Yet on this winter evening, no one notices. That itself is a miracle.

For the past year, Mykola and Olena and their three children lived with the constant cacophony of war – sirens, gunfire and missile strikes back home in L’viv, Ukraine.

But now, thanks to a handful of Regions associates, numerous friends and local churches in Birmingham, the Vyshyvanyuks and their three children have started a new life in a quiet, safe suburb of Alabama’s largest city.

“Back home, it’s very, very cold,” Olena said with a soft smile. “I don’t like winter anymore. The Alabama winter is much better.”

“We are still adjusting,” added Mykola. “But not our kids. In two or three weeks, they made new friends and made this home.”

How do you change lives, escape a war and find a new life in a year’s time? For the Vyshyvanyuks, it started with an article in the Wall Street Journal.

Ed Cotter remembers reading about a program called Uniting for Ukraine, a program implemented by the White House, to fast-track immigration from the war-torn nation to the U.S.

“I signed up as a lark,” explained Cotter, Regions’ assistant general counsel. “You set up a profile, then people ping you and you start talking from there.

“I connected with this family – parents and three children, ages, 6, 11 and 13 – from L’viv in Western Ukraine. We agreed we’d help them move to America.”

It sounded so easy. It was anything but.

I made donations, but it didn’t seem like that was what my soul needed. But this – what Ed was doing – felt like a direct impact on someone’s life and I was excited to be a part of that. 

Kate Laminack, Modernization and Transformation Partner at Regions

Making a connection was the first step. Sponsors also had to provide two years of financial support, find housing, jobs, cars, and line up schools. With his wife, Natalie, fully on board, Ed began sharing his plans with friends and church members. It would take a team, and an active GoFundMe, to bring the Vyshyvanyuks to Birmingham.

Inspired by Experience

Irina Pritchett was one of the first co-workers to jump headfirst into the effort.

“Ed suspected I’d be interested after we had a passing conversation in the early days of the war,” Pritchett said. “Weeks later, he reached out about the sponsorship. But what I heard was, ‘My wife and I are thinking of doing this amazing thing but need a community to make it happen.’”

For Pritchett, a Risk Initiative and Integration manager at Regions, the response was immediate. How could it be anything else?

As a child, Pritchett’s family emigrated to the U.S. as political refugees due to growing, institutional antisemitism in the Soviet Union.

I feel grateful to be able to pay forward the help that we received when we came to the U.S. and honor a piece of my parents’ journey in doing so. 

Irina Pritchett, Risk Initiative and Integration manager at Regions

“My parents left behind family, friends – everything they knew – and became ‘traitors to the (Soviet) state’ without knowing where we would end up,” Pritchett said. “Like the Vyshyvanyuks, my parents packed our lives into one suitcase per person and took an indescribable leap of faith motivated by love for their children.

“I feel grateful to be able to pay forward the help that we received when we came to the U.S. and honor a piece of my parents’ journey in doing so.”

Other associates came on board, including Franklin Danley, Payment and Credit Card Operations group manager, and Susan Anderson, Enterprise Reputational Risk administrator. Both jumped in enthusiastically.

Then Kate Laminack of the Transformation team learned of the endeavor. Like Pritchett, it hit close to home.

She was 11 when she first moved to the United Kingdom, then to Birmingham, Alabama. Both of her parents were scientists who found new academic positions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“It was ridiculously hard,” Laminack said. “To come at that age, in 6th grade, it was like stepping into a new world – especially as a kid. I looked different, spoke differently and my new classmates had no concept of what we were going through.”

Yet, since the onset of the invasion, she knew she had to help.

“I’d been thinking about what I could do to help since the war started,” Laminack said. “I made donations, but it didn’t seem like that was what my soul needed. But this – what Ed was doing – felt like a direct impact on someone’s life and I was excited to be a part of that.”

An Idyllic Life No More

A year ago, Mykola and Olena had a thriving wedding gown business, a new home, a brick-and-mortar storefront, and a website that made their venture a success not only locally, but across international borders.

But as they settled in for a long Ukrainian winter, rumors of an impending war were soon replaced by the terrifying Russian invasion, and the kind of naked brutality that Europe hadn’t seen since the end of World War II.

Air raids became the norm. Idyllic neighborhoods were turned into rubble. Home became an underground shelter that provided a layer of security but did little to stop the winter’s chill without electricity and gas. Food became a luxury.

As for the business, how do you survive when life has been turned upside down?

“We were in danger from the first day,” Olena said. “So we sent the kids off to their grandparents. And we began helping make uniforms for our soldiers – many of whom didn’t have anything.”

Mykola focused on making vests, but where do you find fabric when all the banks are closed, and you can’t access your money? They used what they had, and what others scrounged, and sewed from morning through night, often by hand. They had a mission and a vision.

But not a future.

“We had to get out for our children,” Olena said.

They found Ed and Natalie Cotter. And plans began formulating.

Back in Birmingham, Cotter now had an army of volunteers of his own. They began meeting regularly at a public library, creating checklists of things they had to accomplish in addition to raising funds – find schools, jobs, housing. Using WhatsApp, Cotter, Pritchett and Laminack began regularly texting the Vyshyvanyuks, forming a friendship while keeping them informed of progress. By August, there was no turning back.

The U.S. was fast-tracking applications, as Uniting for Ukraine was proving to exceed the most optimistic expectations. The family was approved in August. By November, when the Birmingham crew had raised the funds to bring the Vyshyvanyuks to the U.S., the White House had approved more than 100,000 applications.

For Mykola, Olena and their children, the first step was to make it across the border to Poland, where they were placed in refugee housing. Immediately, Oleana noticed a difference.

“We spent two weeks getting processed in Poland – two weeks without air raids,” Olena said. “I knew then we couldn’t go back home.”

A New Start, A New Home

Two months ago, they took their final flight to Atlanta, where they were shuttled to Birmingham in a van supplied by Vestavia Methodist Church. They arrived to find a furnished new home, with a refrigerator filled with their favorite foods, children’s bedrooms stuffed with toys and two automobiles out front.

In the front room, Mykola found a sewing machine to continue his work. And a job at a local wedding boutique. The children were enrolled in school and the family began weekly English as a Second Language (ESL) classes scheduled at another church, Trinity Methodist. When Cotter and Regions associate Tommy McCain went to the local branch to open up a checking account for the family, Kismet followed.

“The relationship manager we talked to, Tatsiana Hall, spoke Russian,” Pritchett recalled. “At first, we thought that was just a crazy coincidence. But it was more than that.”

Hall, who moved to Birmingham from her native Belarus in 2010, agreed.

“I said, ‘Let me be your personal banker,’” Hall said. “God brought me to you.”

This is home and we are safe. My hope is that family and friends can join us here.

Olena Vyshyvanyuk

Just before Christmas, Olena received a call that she was needed at Vestavia East Elementary immediately. Fearing the worst, she headed over only to find a room full of Christmas gifts for 13-year-old Eva, 11-year-old Ioanna and 6-year-old Viktoriia the school had gathered for their first holiday in Alabama.

The winters in Birmingham are mild and the suburban noises are soothing – a stark contrast to the life they left behind.

“This is home,” Olena said, “and we are safe. My hope is that family and friends can join us here.”

And, for the first time in a year, there is security. Both Mykola and Olena have jobs. They pay taxes. And their children are learning safely in school.

What started with a newspaper article and a conversation led to a year of change no one could have imagined prior to war, proving anything is possible. What transpired has forever transformed the Vyshyvanyuks.

And the team that came together to provide a new home.

“The kids are doing great. They have each other,” Laminack said. “They have a support network. And a really good ESL teacher.

“When this started, we didn’t know who we were looking for, only that we just wanted to help someone. But it turned into a real relationship. We’ve made friends for life.”