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High Interest Rates Continue To Put Pressure On Loan Demand

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 14, 2024

Loan demand continued to decline in the first quarter of 2024, with banks attributing the decline to high interest rates, while the terms and conditions for granting loans to businesses became tighter in the first quarter of 2024 after three consecutive quarters in which they had remained unchanged.

The criteria for lending to households remained stable.

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According to the Central Bank’s Bank Lending Survey for the first quarter of 2024, the credit standards, as well as the terms and conditions for loans to enterprises, tightened in the first quarter of 2024, mainly due to Banks’ reduced risk tolerance, as well as their perception of increased risk about the general economic situation and the outlook for the economy.

On the other hand, the credit standards for loans to households remained unchanged in the first quarter of 2024, for mortgage loans, consumer and other loans.

The terms and conditions for housing loans also remained unchanged while they tightened for consumer credit and other lending to households.

The net demand for business loans decreased, in the first quarter of 2024, and at the same time, the net demand for housing loans as well as for consumer credit and other lending also decreased.

However, the survey notes that increased financing needs for fixed investment, possibly reflecting the positive growth prospects of the Cypriot economy, as well as debt refinancing/restructuring, contributed positively to loan demand.

As far as households are concerned, the net decline in demand for mortgage loans is attributed by banks to higher interest rates, lower consumer confidence and a weakening housing market outlook.

Finally, according to banks’ expectations for the second quarter of 2024, the lending criteria for both businesses and households are expected to remain unchanged compared to the previous quarter. At the same time, a decline in net demand for consumer and other loans from households is expected, while both net demand for business loans and mortgage loans from households are expected to remain stable.

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Elevating Infant Nutrition: Nara Organics Unveils Premium Organic Formula

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 30, 2025

The Origins Of A Vision

When Esther Hallam welcomed her daughter Nara into the world, she immediately confronted a formidable challenge: identifying a trustworthy, high-quality organic infant formula. In a U.S. market dominated by cost-cutting practices—such as the use of skim milk supplemented with oils to meet nutritional standards—Hallam observed a disconnect between established availability and uncompromised quality. Research linking corn syrup to obesity and palm oil to reduced calcium absorption only reinforced her resolve to seek a safer alternative.

Redefining Industry Standards

Frustrated by the limitations of existing options, Hallam devoted seven years to developing an organic, whole-milk formula with the expertise of leading scientists and pediatric nutritionists. Nara Organics distinguishes itself by offering the highest percentage of milk fat of any formula on the U.S. market and a significantly reduced reliance on plant-based oils. The carefully selected blend of organic sunflower, coconut, and rapeseed oils not only meets nutritional needs but also minimizes potential health risks inherent to additives like palm oil, soy, and corn syrup.

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Manufacturing Excellence In Germany

Rather than manufacturing domestically—a decision influenced by previous concerns over Cronobacter contamination in American facilities—Nara Organics leverages the advanced, oxygen-controlled production environment of a German facility, widely regarded as the birthplace of powdered infant formula. Chief Marketing Officer Meika Hollender detailed that their unique manufacturing process, which minimizes oxygen exposure during can sealing, substantially extends shelf life and preserves formula integrity, setting a new standard in infant nutrition.

Strategic Investment And Market Impact

Backed by $32 million from prominent investors including AlleyCorp, BBG Ventures, Corazon Ventures, Gingerbread Capital, and Torch Capital, Nara Organics has also garnered support from high-profile celebrity investors such as Serena Williams, Gina Rodriguez, and Nicky Hilton. This robust investment positions the company at the vanguard of an organic infant formula market projected to grow from $20.7 billion in 2023 to $37 billion by 2032.

Enhancing Consumer Accessibility And Community Commitment

Nara Organics is available for purchase directly via its website, subscription models, and a dedicated mobile app that assists parents in tracking essential aspects of infant care. To underscore its commitment to community well-being, the company is donating over 1,400 cans of formula to the Good+ Foundation, which strives to alleviate multi-generational poverty by providing essential services to under-resourced families.

By merging state-of-the-art production with a commitment to organic, high-quality ingredients, Nara Organics is poised to redefine the benchmarks of infant nutrition in a competitive, evolving market.