First Federal Bank Facilitates Three Rivers Legal Services Grant
'Heirs property' is real property that is currently titled in the name of a deceased individual, regardless of whether the homeowner had a Will at the time of their death. TRLS will provide legal representation in probate matters to the heir(s) of the property in an effort to have the property legally titled in the name of the resident heir. These clients, along with homeowners who already possess clear title to their homes, will be eligible to apply for legal services related to Estate Planning (wills and deeds) in an effort to prevent future heirs property issues.
'TRLS is grateful to First Federal Bank and FHLB Atlanta for the funding, which will allow TRLS to serve more clients in the designated counties' says Donna MacRae, Executive Director of Three Rivers Legal Services. For more information on how to help Three Rivers Legal Services, visit trls.org/volunteer.
About First Federal Bank:
First Federal Bank is a leading financial institution committed to serving the needs of its customers and communities. With banking locations in northern Florida and coastal South Carolina, First Federal Bank is a community-owned bank that provides a wide range of consumer and commercial banking solutions, services, and loans. Additionally, SBA and USDA customers are served by lending offices across the Southeast and Midwest, and mortgages are offered nationwide. With over $3.9 billion in assets, First Federal is headquartered in Lake City, Florida and has a steadfast focus on innovation and customer satisfaction. For over 20 years the bank has consistently been recommended by BauerFinancial, Inc. Furthermore, Newsweek named First Federal the 'Best Small Bank in Florida' for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 and 'Best Regional Bank' for 2024 and 2025. To learn more, visit the website at www.ffbf.com
About Three Rivers Legal Services:
Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. (TRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free legal services to low-income or otherwise disadvantaged individuals and families in North Florida. Services include advice and consultation, brief services (drafting legal documents), negotiation, and full representation in court and/or administrative cases. TRLS services are limited to civil legal matters, including but not limited to probate, estate planning, housing law, consumer law, family law, public benefits (Social Security, SSI, Medicaid), elder law, sealing and expungement of criminal records, and education law. To learn more visit www.trls.org
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
18 hours ago
- The Star
Meta's deal marks key moment for private credit
NEW YORK: The heavy hitters of private credit have been waiting for this moment for years. Major lenders, which often cater to companies with dented credit, talk endlessly about the opportunities in investment-grade debt and in financing the breakneck growth of artificial intelligence (AI). They've done smaller deals, but last week they caught the biggest fish yet: a US$29bil financing package for Meta Platforms Inc's massive data centre in Louisiana. That transaction, led by Pacific Investment Management Co (Pimco) and Blue Owl Capital Inc, hits all the high notes: It's a top-notch business in a hot sector. It disrupts the usual route that companies like Meta travel to get money from investors through banks. And, it's huge. 'Private credit has been itching to get into this space,' said John Medina, senior vice-president on the global project and infrastructure finance team at Moody's Ratings. 'This deal is one of the first of its kind for private credit and if it is successful, we would expect to see more.' The biggest technology companies are in an AI arms race now, and they need cash to win. Elon Musk's xAI Corp recently told investors it plans to spend US$18bil on data centres, and is looking at raising debt backed by projects rather than at the corporate level. Others including Inc and OpenAI Inc are pursuing their own sites across the United States. Morgan Stanley estimates that capital expenditures on AI could exceed US$3 trillion in the next three years. For Meta, Pimco is leading US$26bil in debt and Blue Owl is providing US$3bil in equity. Bidding war The debt portion is likely to be issued in the form of investment-grade bonds backed by the data centre's assets, people familiar with the matter said, adding that the final structure is still in flux. Morgan Stanley is advising Meta on the deal and arranging the financing. The bidding war for the financing lasted months. It was competitive because private credit firms have been all-but-begging for access to the investment-grade debt world that banks dominate. Other private-credit firms that grappled for the top spot include Apollo Global Management Inc and KKR & Co, which made it to the final round, as well as Brookfield Asset Management Ltd, Blackstone Inc and Ares Management Corp, said the people, who were not authorised to speak publicly. It is the largest funding package related to a specific AI data centre by a mile, with others involving xAI Corp or Coreweave Inc well below US$10bil. Microsoft Inc, BlackRock Inc and the United Arab Emirates' MGX investment vehicle are teaming up to raise US$30bil of private equity that can be leveraged to US$100bil, with Nvidia Corp and xAI also joining in, but that money is for a series of data warehouses and energy infrastructure rather than an individual project. The most recent debt deal of any kind that's even near the size of Meta's was a US$26bil bond sale to support Mars Inc's purchase of rival food-maker Kellanova in March. A group of banks put together the financing, which was funnelled through to their typical investors in the syndicated market. Dry powder Private-credit firms have about US$450bil of dry powder to invest, according to Preqin data, and are clamouring for this kind of business. The corporate acquisitions that often fuel private-credit deals are practically at a standstill. And these firms aspire to more fully become rivals to traditional Wall Street banks – handling everything from advising companies to structuring their debt to providing some of it themselves. Massive market Expanding further into investment-grade deals could help make private credit a US$40 trillion market, according to an estimate from Apollo. 'This ecosystem of private investment-grade is a massive market with a huge tailwind,' Michael Zawadzki, the global chief investment officer at Blackstone's credit and insurance unit, said last year. Representatives for Apollo, Meta, Pimco, Blue Owl, Brookfield, Blackstone, Ares and Morgan Stanley declined to comment. Those for KKR and xAI didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. KKR and Energy Capital Partners last year agreed to a US$50bil partnership to accelerate the development of infrastructure for AI. Blue Owl has helped finance AI infrastructure before, including through a US$15bil joint venture for a data centre in Abilene, Texas. Blue Owl chief executive officer Marc Lipschultz has compared the AI craze to the Gold Rush: though lenders aren't out there digging for treasure, they can provide the 'picks and shovels' that technology firms need. 'In this case, it takes the modern version, the data centres,' he said during a conference call on July 31. 'And we are the best placed firm to help develop and to help fund those data centres.' — Bloomberg
Malaysian Reserve
18-07-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
Lowe's Foundation Investment in Solving Skilled Trades Labor Shortage Grows to $43 Million
Third cohort of community and technical colleges grant recipients will launch and expand new training programs for thousands of aspiring tradespeople MOORESVILLE, N.C., July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Lowe's Foundation today announced 12 new Gable Grants for community and technical colleges to help solve America's critical skilled trades worker shortage. The funding expands the foundation's nationwide network of Gable Grants recipients to 60 organizations, each delivering scalable pathways into high-demand trades careers. Through expanded training, grants to this cohort will help build the next generation of skilled tradespeople at a time when the industry needs it the most. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, the skilled labor gap drives a $10 billion annual economic loss in the housing industry. 'Collectively, we are writing a comeback story for the skilled trades industry,' said Janice Dupré, Lowe's executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe's Foundation. 'Through our Gable Grants network, these schools join a community of innovators helping one another effectively recruit, train and employ the people America needs to revitalize our infrastructure.' Since launching the Gable Grants program in 2023, the foundation has invested $43 million across 28 states. The grants are part of a five-year, $50 million commitment to help community and technical colleges and nonprofits recruit, train and prepare 50,000 trades professionals across carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and property maintenance. The new Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants support the following community and technical colleges: Blue Ridge Community College (Flat Rock, North Carolina) will support ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts through expanded training for advanced manufacturing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and construction apprenticeships. The grant will help Blue Ridge hire certified instructors and offer tuition support to students from across Western North Carolina. Cape Fear Community College (Wilmington, North Carolina) will introduce plumbing, facility maintenance and core construction programs at two correctional facilities and an adult high school program. The college's curriculum features integrated virtual reality training along with industry recognized certifications to meet the needs of its growing employer network. Community College of Rhode Island (Warwick, Rhode Island) will expand its Electrical Apprenticeship and Ready to Build programs to address the growing demand for skilled trades professionals. The school will establish two state-of-the-art lab spaces to increase enrollment capacity and develop a credit-bearing academic pathway that integrates into a new construction management certificate and degree program. Florida State College at Jacksonville (Jacksonville, Florida) will strengthen communities and improve access for aspiring electricians, construction professionals and HVAC technicians through training at community sites. The grant will also support the recruitment of skilled instructors and fund educational materials, spaces and equipment, addressing workforce needs for large construction projects in Jacksonville, including the $8 billion downtown revitalization and $1.4 billion NFL stadium renovation. Los Angeles Community College District (Los Angeles) will enhance its skilled trades curriculum while expanding the capacity of its Construction, Maintenance and Utilities programs. In the aftermath of the 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires, the program will focus on fire recovery with disaster-specific training to prepare a workforce for major infrastructure projects. Germanna Community College (Fredericksburg, Virginia) will build and deploy mobile training units to rural communities, public schools and correctional facilities. Germanna Community College has trained over 3,500 students in 2025, the most among Virginia schools awarding skilled trades credentials. Ivy Tech Community College (Indianapolis) is receiving its second Gable Grant to launch a new Building and Property Maintenance Technician program and enhance its HVAC training. This grant will focus on dislocated workers and second-chance learners and will expand trades programs across the college system, which includes 19 campuses throughout Indiana. J.F. Ingram State Technical College (Deatsville, Alabama) exclusively serves Alabama's incarcerated population and individuals under supervised release. The Gable Grant will unlock access to electrical training through virtual reality simulation software and shop-based learning. The vocational training program supports reentry and long-term career pathways by equipping students with invaluable technical skills and expertise to meet industry workforce needs and gain a competitive advantage in the job market. Johnson College of Technology (Scranton, Pennsylvania) will expand its capacity and programming at two campuses through its HVAC, Electrical Construction Technology and carpentry and cabinetmaking labs. The school is the only career technical college in Northeastern Pennsylvania and partners with industry employers to prepare students for residential, commercial and industrial careers across the region. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Perkinston, Mississippi) is receiving its second Gable Grant to introduce electrical technology evening courses and transform its construction trades program. This will double the school's capacity to prepare electricians and support a Fast-Track Pathway that offers accelerated transfer credits, internships and apprenticeships to meet the construction sector's growing demands. Palm Beach State College (Lake Worth, Florida) is receiving its second Gable Grant to help expand its construction trades programs and add a simulation lab. The expansion will complement four mobile units and bring HVAC and electrical training to the school's Palm Beach Gardens campus as well as rural high schools in South Florida. Texas State Technical College (Waco, Texas) will equip a nearly 130,000 square-foot Construction Technology Center while offering tool stipends to eligible students. The school boasts an 87% job placement rate and offers associate degrees and certificates of completion, as well as short-term, noncredit training aligned with Texas' workforce needs. The next Gable Grant application cycle for community-based nonprofits opens from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31 and is by invitation only. To learn more about eligibility guidelines and skilled trades career benefits, visit About The Lowe's FoundationThe Lowe's Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) organization founded by Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), is helping develop a community of skilled tradespeople to build and revitalize our homes, neighborhoods and infrastructure for the future. From 2023 through 2028, the Lowe's Foundation is investing $50 million to help prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers through grants to community and technical colleges, community-based nonprofit organizations and national nonprofit partners with a strong local presence. To learn more about the Lowe's Foundation, visit and follow on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Media ContactsSebastian HaleLowe's Click here for a Spanish version of the press release
Malaysian Reserve
22-05-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
First Federal Bank Facilitates Three Rivers Legal Services Grant
LAKE CITY, Fla., May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. (TRLS), in partnership with First Federal Bank (FFB), was awarded an Heirs Property Family Wealth Protection Fund grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB Atlanta), for the purpose of providing free legal services regarding heirs property and estate planning to 'homeowners' of North Florida. Homeowners who reside in the counties of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee, Taylor or Union, and have household incomes below 120% of the Area Median Income, will be eligible to apply for legal services related to heirs property and estate planning. Residents whose homes were damaged as the result of Hurricanes Idalia, Debby or Helene will be given priority for full representation. 'TRLS helps individuals and their families navigate complex scenarios,' says John Medina, President and CEO of First Federal Bank. 'First Federal Bank is honored to help facilitate access to legal services to these deserving homeowners.' 'Heirs property' is real property that is currently titled in the name of a deceased individual, regardless of whether the homeowner had a Will at the time of their death. TRLS will provide legal representation in probate matters to the heir(s) of the property in an effort to have the property legally titled in the name of the resident heir. These clients, along with homeowners who already possess clear title to their homes, will be eligible to apply for legal services related to Estate Planning (wills and deeds) in an effort to prevent future heirs property issues. 'TRLS is grateful to First Federal Bank and FHLB Atlanta for the funding, which will allow TRLS to serve more clients in the designated counties' says Donna MacRae, Executive Director of Three Rivers Legal Services. For more information on how to help Three Rivers Legal Services, visit About First Federal Bank: First Federal Bank is a leading financial institution committed to serving the needs of its customers and communities. With banking locations in northern Florida and coastal South Carolina, First Federal Bank is a community-owned bank that provides a wide range of consumer and commercial banking solutions, services, and loans. Additionally, SBA and USDA customers are served by lending offices across the Southeast and Midwest, and mortgages are offered nationwide. With over $3.9 billion in assets, First Federal is headquartered in Lake City, Florida and has a steadfast focus on innovation and customer satisfaction. For over 20 years the bank has consistently been recommended by BauerFinancial, Inc. Furthermore, Newsweek named First Federal the 'Best Small Bank in Florida' for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 and 'Best Regional Bank' for 2024 and 2025. To learn more, visit the website at About Three Rivers Legal Services: Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. (TRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free legal services to low-income or otherwise disadvantaged individuals and families in North Florida. Services include advice and consultation, brief services (drafting legal documents), negotiation, and full representation in court and/or administrative cases. TRLS services are limited to civil legal matters, including but not limited to probate, estate planning, housing law, consumer law, family law, public benefits (Social Security, SSI, Medicaid), elder law, sealing and expungement of criminal records, and education law. To learn more visit
