logo
In the Limelight: Moses Henry

In the Limelight: Moses Henry

By Wayne Thompson
Who
Moses Henry, Community Mortgage Loan Officer for Regions Mortgage.
What
One of the first recipients of the 'Unsung Hero Award' from Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville (Florida)
Why
In 2017, Regions Mortgage Production Manager Jim Branch helped Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville (also known as HabiJax) develop its first third-party lending program, and Henry proved that the program could work by helping more than 50 residents finance homes worth nearly $6 million.
That freed up cash Habitat reinvested to build even more affordable homes and widen its service area to include two additional Northeast Florida counties — further increasing access to homeownership. Since then, the innovative lending approach has become a model for other community lenders and Habitat chapters.
Regions was the first bank to partner with us as third-party lenders, and Moses Henry and Jim Branch were THE guys that figured out how to do it.Chris Folds, chief community partnerships officer for HabiJax
Chris Folds, chief community partnerships officer for HabiJax, believes third-party lending is why HabiJax was one of the only Habitat affiliates in the nation to increase production in 2024, building 44 new homes.
'Regions was the first bank to partner with us as third-party lenders, and Moses Henry and Jim Branch were THE guys that figured out how to do it,' Folds said. 'Moses' knowledge about lending to low- to moderate-income clients is second to none.
'It's very doubtful that we've had been able to increase production in 2024 without third-party mortgages, which Regions wrote the book on,' he added.
'Moses is one of our community's most valuable minds on the subject of affordable housing, and when you combine that with his generous heart, you have someone who has made a real difference,' Folds said.
'He is an Unsung Hero because he helped us pioneer new approaches to lending that have made HabiJax much more sustainable. He's a treasure!'
In His Own Words
'I feel extremely blessed to be a part of something I love doing,' said Henry, who joined Regions Mortgage in 2013. 'I'm also blessed to work for a bank like Regions with such great programs and a commitment to help people that may otherwise not realize the dream of homeownership.
'I enjoy working with low- to moderate-income families and helping put them on the path of creating generational wealth and particularly leading homebuyer education workshops,' Henry said.
'It's wonderful to see people who came in feeling homeownership was beyond their reach leave knowing it's attainable.'
Discover another group of associates who recently made a difference for Habitat for Humanity.
Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Regions Bank
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Can AvalonBay's Portfolio Strength Offset Development Setbacks?
Can AvalonBay's Portfolio Strength Offset Development Setbacks?

Yahoo

time5 days ago

  • Yahoo

Can AvalonBay's Portfolio Strength Offset Development Setbacks?

AvalonBay Communities AVB is well-poised to gain from healthy renter demand for its residential properties in the high barrier-to-entry regions of the United States. The company's efforts to leverage technology to drive margin expansion seem encouraging. Strategic buyouts and development projects, backed by a healthy balance sheet position, augur well for long-term growth. However, elevated rental unit supply in select markets and high-interest expenses raise concerns. Moreover, the company is witnessing delayed development month, AvalonBay reported a second-quarter 2025 core FFO per share of $2.82, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.80. The figure also climbed 1.8% from the prior-year quarter's tally. The quarterly performance reflected favorable same-store residential revenue and operating expense performance. AvalonBay has revised its full-year 2025 outlook, reflecting higher same-store net operating income (NOI), offset by the delayed occupancies' impact on development NOI. What Is Aiding AvalonBay Communities? AvalonBay owns high-quality assets in top U.S. markets, focusing on metro areas with strong job growth, high homeownership costs and vibrant lifestyles. This positions it to earn superior long-term risk-adjusted returns. Its well-diversified portfolio includes both urban and suburban communities. In 2025, management expects same-store residential revenues to grow between 2.3% and 3.3% year over enhance its overall portfolio quality, AvalonBay has carried out several strategic acquisitions over the years. AvalonBay expects its current 73% suburban submarket allocation to achieve the 80% target, while the current 12% expansion region allocation to reach a target of 25%. The company is also disposing of non-core assets for capital recycling. Moreover, AVB's growth over the intermediate term is likely to be supported by its increased development deliveries. In 2025, management is planning development starts of around $1.7 billion. In the next few years, the developments underway upon completion and stabilization are expected to fuel FFO and net asset value growth. AvalonBay has a healthy balance sheet with ample liquidity, positioning it well to capitalize on long-term growth opportunities. As of June 30, 2025, this residential REIT did not have any borrowings outstanding under its $2.25 billion unsecured credit facility. The company has a well-laddered debt maturity schedule with a weighted average year-to-maturity of 6.8 years. In the second quarter of 2025, its annualized net debt-to-core EBITDAre was 4.4 times, and unencumbered NOI was 95%, providing scope for tapping additional secured debt capital if required. Moreover, balance sheet flexibility is preserved for future opportunities, with around 103% match-funded on current development underway in the second quarter of 2025. The investment-grade credit ratings of 'A3' from Moody's and 'A-' from S&P render it access to the debt market at favorable dividend payouts are arguably the biggest enticement for REIT investors, and AvalonBay has consistently paid dividends each year since it went public in 1994. In February 2025, concurrent with its fourth-quarter earnings release, AVB increased its first-quarter 2025 dividend to $1.75 per share from $1.70 paid in the prior quarter. This represented a hike of 2.9% from the prior payout. Moreover, backed by healthy operating fundamentals and a solid financial position, we expect the dividend rate to be sustainable in the coming years. What Is Hurting AVB? The struggle to lure renters is likely to persist, as supply volume remains elevated in a few markets where the company operates. Moreover, the company is witnessing delays in its development deliveries, resulting in lower occupancy and higher concessions in markets like Denver and Maryland, in particular, pushing its NOI has a substantial debt burden, and its total debt was approximately $8.71 billion as of June 30, 2025. Interest expenses increased 13.5% year over year to $64.8 million in the second quarter of 2025. US Apartment Market and Residential REITs in Q2 The U.S. apartment market remained impressively resilient in the second quarter of 2025, absorbing more than 227,000 units between April and June, a robust second-quarter figure. According to RealPage data, annual absorption surpassed even the peak leasing surge of 2021 and early 2022, defying a backdrop of slowing job growth, weak business sentiment and broader economic signaled good for residential REITs like AvalonBay, Equity Residential EQR and Essex Property Trust, Inc. ESS. Elevated absorption suggests that the renter appetite for professionally managed apartments is solid despite broader macro Residential reported second-quarter 2025 normalized FFO per share of 99 cents, which met the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The figure improved 2.1% from the year-ago quarter. Results reflected a rise in same-store revenues and physical occupancy on a year-over-year basis. The company increased its guidance for 2025 normalized FFO per share. Essex Property Trust Inc. reported second-quarter 2025 core FFO per share of $4.03, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.99. The figure also improved 2.3% from the year-ago quarter. Results reflected favorable growth in same-property revenues and NOI. However, higher same-property operating expenses and interest expenses partly acted as a dampener. ESS raised its full-year 2025 guidance at the midpoint for core FFO per Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represent funds from operations (FFO) — a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Equity Residential (EQR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research

Five Hot Wine Tourism Trends In 2025
Five Hot Wine Tourism Trends In 2025

Forbes

time6 days ago

  • Forbes

Five Hot Wine Tourism Trends In 2025

Five Hot Trends in Wine Tourism getty With wine sales flattening out globally, there has been a similar decrease in visits to wineries in many regions and countries. However, some regions and wineries are bucking this trend and have reported increased wine sales and revenues by selling directly to consumers (DTC) who visit the winery and continue to purchase their wines online. What are these wineries doing that others are not? To better understand this development, I consulted with several DTC/wine tourism experts and spoke with winery owners in different regions to learn what is working well. The answers were diverse and creative, suggesting there are five hot wine tourism trends that seem to be reaping benefits in 2025. Findings from DTC/Wine Tourism Experts 'Growth is there to be captured - you just have to work harder and smarter than ever. The biggest risk is not taking any risk,' said John Keleher, Founder of Community Benchmark, in an online interview. Each year, Community Benchmark analyzes winery visitation data and sales from over 550 wineries in major wine-producing regions of the U.S.. Though they found that visitation rates were down overall in the past year, 'fully 37% of the wineries have grown their DTC sales positively,' John reported. 'DTC today is easily the most profitable sales channel and it's the only solution for most small family-run wineries,' stated Rob McMillan, EVP/ Founder of the Wine Division at Silicon Valley Bank, and author of the 2025 SVB Direct to Consumer Report. Each year, his report tracks the progress of over 600 wineries across the nation, and this year he discovered that wineries that only focused on cost-cutting were not growing compared to those that also focused outwardly. 'Examining the list of external strategies, it was interesting to see the majority focus on tried-and-true options like better experiences, more appealing events, and improved engagements with customers,' he reported. This finding corresponds with the strategies employed by some of the more successful wineries cited in the list of five hot wine tourism trends below. It also supports some of the findings in one of the longest running winery tasting room surveys in the U.S. – the Wine Business Monthly Annual Tasting Room/DTC Survey, which has been conducted for more than 15 years. Though the overall results showed a decline in tasting room visitation, smaller wineries that produce fewer than 1000 cases showed growth for the third year in a row. 'In 2024, such wineries entertained an average of 9,600 tasting room guests, which is 48% more than in 2023. Small wineries also reported a 34% increase in total DTC volume compared to the previous year,' reported author Andrew Adams, in a published article on the results. Many Small Wineries Across the U.S. Depend on Direct to Consumer Sales 2025 SVB DTC Report Hot Wine Tourism Trend #1 - Mobile Wine Tourism Instead of waiting for wine tourists to visit them, some of the smart wineries are also going to wine lovers instead. Referred to as 'mobile wine tourism,' this is a trend where wineries meet consumers where they are, by setting up booths or 'pop-up' stands at musical concerts, near food trucks, and at festivals. If allowed, they also offer free samples so people can taste the wine. One good example is Wölffer Estate in New York, who has a mobile wine stand that they take to different events along the east coast. They also feature a Wölffer Wine Tap Truck that they take to farmers' markets. Another aspect of mobile wine tourism is organizing tastings in people's homes and at restaurants, and retail shops. Blue Rock Vineyard in Sonoma County is an expert at this. According to Carla O'Dell Jeffries, General Manager with Blue Rock, last year they hosted 120 different events around the nation to connect with current and new consumers. Some wineries also set-up small urban tasting rooms in cities, so they can attract more people in a different environment. This allows them to stay open later and offer live music, comedy shows, paint and sip, and other events to attract people. L'Ecole No. 41 winery in Woodinville, WA, does this well, as does Brooks Note Cellars in downtown Petaluma, CA. Friends Enjoying Wine at a Food Festival getty Hot Wine Tourism Trend #2 - Winery Owner Interaction As the world grows more dependent on communicating through technology, it appears that there is a backlash in terms of tourists who want to interact with a real human being, especially the winery owner or the winemaker. This helps to explain why smaller wineries across the U.S. that welcome visitors in a relaxed, informal fashion, with the owner stopping by to say hello while they sample drinks, may be performing better. A small winery owner in the Russian River told me, 'I hate to say it out loud, because I know many other wineries have decreased visitation and revenue, but we are booked through the summer, and our sales and profitability have been in the double digits for the past two years.' Part of the reason for this could be that he and his wife welcome visitors personally, walk them through the vineyard, and treat wine club members like friends, rather than customers. This could also be why Rob McMillan found in this year's SVB DTC Report that smaller wineries outside of California seemed to be performing better with DTC sales. Yoga with Miniature Goats Before Wine Tasting getty Hot Wine Tourism Trend #3 - Unique Events & Tours Though offering creative wine tasting experiences is something that many wineries have adopted over the past decade, it appears that having something unique to do – rather than just sitting at a table and tasting through a flight of wines with a tasting room rep – is perceived positively by many (though not all) consumers. Wine writer, Lettie Teague, with the Wall Street Journal, described an experience of visiting with miniature donkeys at Ravine's Wine Cellars in New York as something that she enjoyed, as did Gen Z and Millennial tourists visiting the winery. Likewise, it is possible to join in a miniature goat yoga class before wine tasting at Brandeberry Winery in Ohio, or take a regular yoga class at Eola Hills Wine Cellars in Oregon, as well as other locations. Sustainable and/or organic winery tours that include tractor rides through the vineyard are also popular with visitors who want to learn the 'green' aspects of winemaking, and perhaps see chickens, cows, and sheep in the vineyard, as well as abundant wildlife. In Sonoma County, both La Crema and Benziger wineries offer these types of tours and wine-tasting. 'Maker' experiences around wine, where visitors get to use their hands to make things, is another engaging and educational experience. Examples include wine blending seminars, picking grapes, and creating wine labels. An unusual example is learning how to dip a wine bottle in wax, which is an experience offered at Belle Glos winery tasting room in Napa, and has resulted in millions of social impressions on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Hot Wine Tourism Trend # 4 - Drop-in Tastings & Affordable Tasting Fees Several years ago, it was difficult to even get an appointment to taste wine in some popular regions, such as Napa Valley. Now offering drop-in tastings without an appointment is more common, harkening back to a time when visitors could stop by and sample a few wines while talking with a friendly winery tasting room rep. It is now possible to drive down Highway 29 in Napa Valley and see signs that say, 'Drop-ins welcome.' Likewise, a few wineries are starting to offer more affordable tastings. For example, the new Bella Union winery in Napa offers a casual tasting for $45, which includes three wines and snacks. Given that the average Napa tasting fee is $75 for a standard tasting and $138 for a reserve tasting, according to the 2025 SVB DTC Report, this is a good deal. And in Sonoma County, Kendall-Jackson and DeLoach wineries both started offering a complimentary welcome flight this summer, along with drop-in tastings with no appointments. As someone who learned to love wine in college by going to Napa and Sonoma with friends when there were no tasting fees, this is a welcome 'going back to the good old days.' Of course, it is not possible for all wineries to do this, and those that do still offer reservation tasting options as well. DeLoach Vineyards in Sonoma County, CA Now Offers a Complimentary Wine Tasting Flight DeLoach Hot Wine Trend #5 - Subscription Clubs To Supplement Wine Clubs Many young adults enjoy signing up for subscription clubs for food, coffee, clothes, make-up and other products. A few wineries are starting to offer this as well, which is different from a wine club in that subscription clubs are usually less expensive and more flexible than a traditional wine club. Customers can choose how often to receive the wines and may customize shipments. Subscription clubs are more transactional than wine clubs, and usually do not include invitations to winery events, free tastings at the winery, or other club benefits. Also, people do not necessarily stay in a subscription club as long as wine clubs. The average length of time people stay in a wine club is 30 months, according to the 2025 SVB DTC Report. The benefit of subscription clubs is that people get a chance to sample the wine before committing to a wine club membership, which is generally for at least one year. Subscription clubs can also be considered as an 'entry-level wine club,' and sometimes, it is merely a matter of semantics, with people referring to a flexible wine club as a subscription club. A few wine businesses that have been successful in implementing subscription clubs are Oliver Winery in Indiana, the Sip Society (which sends small bottles of different sparkling wines to try), and many of the online wine offerings, such as Bright Cellars, First Leaf, Naked Wines, and others. Disconnecting From Technology and Reconnecting with People and Nature In conclusion, wineries that are successfully tapping into these five trends are recognizing the changing needs of consumers today. With increasingly busy and fragmented lives, and wrapped up in computer and phone screens most of the day, people want a chance to take some time out to relax and connect with friends in a casual environment. They also want to learn more about agriculture, winemaking and to get closer to nature. And, if they do not have the time or the money to travel to wine country, they want to have that experience brought to them. Wine Time In the Vineyard With Friends and Nature getty

CoinDesk 20 Performance Update: SUI Jumps 6.3% as All Assets Climb Higher
CoinDesk 20 Performance Update: SUI Jumps 6.3% as All Assets Climb Higher

Yahoo

time07-08-2025

  • Yahoo

CoinDesk 20 Performance Update: SUI Jumps 6.3% as All Assets Climb Higher

CoinDesk Indices presents its daily market update, highlighting the performance of leaders and laggards in the CoinDesk 20 Index. The CoinDesk 20 is currently trading at 3923.39, up 2.4% (+92.5) since 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. All 20 assets are trading higher. Leaders: SUI (+6.3%) and POL (+6.2%).Laggards: LTC (+0.0%) and BTC (+0.9%). The CoinDesk 20 is a broad-based index traded on multiple platforms in several regions globally.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store