Renewables Finance: Masdar reached financial close on a $5.1bn package for a 5.2GW solar plus 19GWh battery project in Abu Dhabi, with operations targeted for 2027 and a lender group spanning major global banks. Public Finance Oversight: Cyprus appointed Dr. Andreas Charalambous as head of its Fiscal Council, sharpening scrutiny of government spending and fiscal risk. Consumer Lending Milestone: Canada’s Fig Financial said it has lent more than $500m since 2023, citing 1.2m applications and a 4.8/5 Trustpilot average. Payments & AI: Visa unveiled an AI Financial Assistant for cardholders, aiming to turn transaction history into conversational guidance inside bank apps. Private Credit & Fintech Growth: Reuters reports Flex raised $70m in a round valuing it around $1.2bn, bundling AI-led business finance and private credit for mid-sized firms. Trade Finance in Bahrain: NBB signed ICIEC agreements to expand credit insurance support for international trade transactions. Corporate Finance Moves: Access Point Financial named Michael Gould CFO; Catalis appointed Joost Rutten CFO; Forge Nano added $23m PIPE commitments ahead of its Nasdaq listing. Deal/Market Watch: NextCure surged after announcing a merger with Avere Therapeutics backed by $320m new capital; ServiceNow fell after IBM’s weaker results. Risk in Lending: A Florida attorney warned auto dealers that floor-plan financing personal guarantees can survive even after a business closes.