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CISCO Partners With Schroders to Launch Sustainable Investment Portfolios

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 15, 2025

Strategic Partnership Redefines ESG Investing

CISCO, a subsidiary of the Bank of Cyprus Group, has entered into a strategic alliance with Schroders, a globally respected asset management firm, to introduce a new suite of sustainable investment portfolios. Designed primarily for institutional investors as well as others favoring Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, the collaboration marks a significant evolution in Cyprus’s financial services sector.

Combining Local Expertise With Global Leadership

The partnership leverages CISCO’s extensive market expertise and longstanding track record in managing institutional mandates with Schroders’ global leadership in sustainable investments. Schroders was chosen for its proven heritage in ESG and impact investing, underpinned by proprietary investment models, ensuring that the newly launched portfolios align with the growing demand for investment solutions that deliver robust long-term financial performance alongside responsible investment practices.

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Structured for Comprehensive Performance

The sustainable portfolios have been meticulously designed with clearly defined sustainability metrics. They are continuously monitored for both financial and non-financial performance, adhering to internationally recognized best practices in responsible investing. The portfolios cater to a wide range of investor profiles—from conservative to dynamic—providing tailored solutions that manage risk while capitalizing on opportunities presented by the global transition towards sustainability.

Executive Insights and Market Implications

Christos Kalogeris, CEO of CISCO, stated, “Our mission is to consistently deliver excellence not only in portfolio performance but also in the positive impact we create. Through this collaboration with Schroders, we are proud to offer investment solutions that reflect both superior performance and principled investing, enabling our clients to achieve sustainable growth with transparency and accountability.”

Dimitrios Batzis, Head of Southern Eastern Europe and Mediterranean at Schroders, added, “By merging Schroders’ advanced proprietary sustainability models with CISCO’s market expertise and local leadership, we are uniquely positioned to provide a differentiated investment proposition. Our commitment is to ensure truly responsible investments that generate long-term value for Cypriot investors.”

Alignment With Regulatory Trends

CISCO’s Asset Management Division, one of the largest in Cyprus, serves a broad base of institutional clients, including pension funds, welfare funds, insurance companies, and corporations, both local and international. This initiative not only responds to increasingly stringent regulatory expectations but also addresses the evolving demands of investors for ESG-integrated strategies.

Positioning for the Future

This strategic move firmly positions both CISCO and Schroders at the forefront of ESG innovation within the region, empowering institutional investors to effectively navigate the risks and opportunities associated with the global shift towards sustainability.

Disclaimer

CISCO is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. License number: 003/03. The content herein does not constitute investment advice. Investing involves risks, and returns are not guaranteed. Prospective investors should consult a licensed professional before making any investment decisions.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Mobile Apps Surpass Games Globally In 2025 As AI Fuels Unprecedented Growth

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 22, 2026

In a landmark shift for the mobile industry, 2025 marked the first year that global consumer spending on non-game mobile apps exceeded that of mobile games. Market intelligence firm Sensor Tower reported in their annual State of Mobile report that worldwide spending on apps reached approximately $85 billion, a 21% increase year-over-year and nearly 2.8 times higher than five years ago.

Generative AI Drives Revenue And User Engagement

The rapid ascendance of generative AI has been a major catalyst in this growth. Revenue from in-app purchases in the generative AI category more than tripled in 2025 to exceed $5 billion, while downloads doubled to 3.8 billion. Leading the charge were AI assistants, with top performers including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and DeepSeek. Notably, ChatGPT generated $3.4 billion in global in-app purchase revenue, underscoring its critical role in reshaping consumer behavior.

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Surge In Engagement And Session Metrics

Consumer engagement reached new heights, with users spending 48 billion hours in generative AI apps—3.6 times more than in 2024 and 10 times the volume of 2023. Session volume surpassed one trillion, indicating that existing users were deepening their interaction with these apps at a rate that outpaced new downloads. This intense engagement is reflective of how seamlessly AI is integrating into everyday mobile activities.

Big Tech Intensifies The AI Battle

Big technology players, including Google, Microsoft, and X, have significantly ramped up their investments in AI assistants to compete with ChatGPT. Their concerted efforts have led to rapid advancements in coding assistance, content generation, and multimedia capabilities. Recent upgrades such as ChatGPT’s GPT-4o image generation model and Google’s Nano Banana exemplify the transformative improvements that are driving consumer adoption.

Consolidation And Expansion In The AI Space

Among the top AI publishers, OpenAI and DeepSeek commanded nearly 50% of global downloads—a substantial increase from 21% in 2024. Concurrently, big tech publishers grew their market share from 14% to nearly 30%, effectively crowding out early ChatGPT alternatives. In addition to AI assistants, other innovative apps, including AI music generation by Suno, ByteDance’s text-to-video solution Jimeng AI, and companion apps such as Character.ai and PolyBuzz, contributed to the expanding AI ecosystem.

Mobile: The Key Connector To Generative AI Services

Sensor Tower’s report underscores the critical role of mobile platforms in mobilizing access to generative AI. In the United States alone, the total audience for AI assistants topped 200 million by year-end, with more than half (110 million) relying exclusively on mobile devices. This stark contrast to the 13 million mobile-only users in 2024 highlights a significant shift in consumer preferences and the increasing indispensability of mobile applications as conduits for innovative AI technologies.

Diverse Revenue Streams Beyond AI

While AI was the dominant revenue driver, the report also notes robust contributions from social media, video streaming, and productivity apps. In particular, social media apps commanded an average of 90 minutes of daily user engagement, culminating in nearly 2.5 trillion hours spent globally—a 5% year-over-year increase. This diversity in revenue streams underscores the resilience and dynamism inherent in the mobile app ecosystem.