SME Banking Upgrade (ASEAN): Maybank rolled out Maybank2E, a single-login business banking platform for SMEs to manage cash, trade finance and FX across markets, with online account opening in minutes. Policy & AI Leadership (South Korea): President Lee Jae-myung tapped Han Seong-sook, the SMEs and startups minister, as next prime minister to push AI-led growth that benefits small firms. SMB Finance Tech Deal (Europe): Cegid completed its acquisition of Shine, creating a cloud-native, AI-driven financial hub for over 1M SMBs and 15,000 accountants. Hiring Reality Check (US): A survey found employers distrust resumes yet still use them first, with many reporting hires that misrepresented skills—fueling demand for more objective screening. Cost Pressure (Ireland): Small firms’ costs rose 44.4% since 2023, led by labor and energy, squeezing reserves. Cashflow & Demand (US): Fiserv’s Small Business Index showed May sales flat month-to-month, with weaker foot traffic but higher average tickets. Capital for Growth (Zimbabwe): DBN urged Zimbabwean businesses to tap diaspora remittances as long-term, investment-style capital. Energy Squeeze (Nigeria): LPG shortages are pushing cooking gas prices up sharply, forcing households and small food businesses toward charcoal and firewood. SME Market Momentum (India): Merritronix’s SME IPO surged on debut, signaling strong investor appetite for smaller listings. AI for SMEs (Taiwan/APEC): Taiwan hosted an APEC forum on AI-driven transition for SMEs, focusing on talent, workplace adoption and competitiveness. Startup PR Tool (US): AML Consulting launched an AI-assisted “Startup Video Press Release Builder” to help early-stage firms create multimedia press kits.