BankMobile Hits 100,000 Customers Mark; To Have 2 Million by July 2016

BankMobile, America’s first mobile, tablet and online bank offering free checking and savings accounts, has reached 100,000 customers, in less than a year since inception and looks set to reach two million customers by July 2016. Its parent company, Customers Bank, is all geared up for the acquisition of the One Account Student Checking business and Refund Management Disbursement business of Higher One, Inc., which provides refund disbursements to nearly 900 higher education campuses across the country. 

Through these mergers, BankMobile hopes to reach out to more customers in the Gen X and millennial market. To add to the initial two million accounts by mid-2016, around 500,000 new student checking accounts each year. That will make BankMobile rank among the top 25 banks in the country with the highest number of consumer checking accounts. 

"This acquisition positions BankMobile to be the primary banking relationship for these millennial and Gen X students as they graduate, evolve into young professionals, and start their own families," said Jay Sidhu, Chief Executive Officer of BankMobile and Customers Bank, explaining the importance of reaching out to Gen X customers. "Our vision of providing financial freedom to millennials and the underbanked through BankMobile has very quickly become a reality. There is no bank in the country that has achieved the level of success that BankMobile has within its first year of launch."

"It is truly exciting that BankMobile can now provide affordable, effortless and financially empowering banking to a large number of students across the United States, who are burdened by student debt, high fees from banks, and lack access to financial education to help them make prudent financial decisions," said Luvleen Sidhu, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer of BankMobile, stating how the bank is helping students face debt. "Our mission has and always will be to financially empower our customers and we look forward to not only providing traditional banking services but also the tools and personal guidance they need to build a financially stable life."

BankMobile offers higher savings rate than the nation’s top four banks, as well as access to more than 55,000 surcharge free ATMs in the USA. 

"By providing a superior product that is easier to use and is more affordable, we hope to create the 'Uber of Banking' at BankMobile," Jay Sidhu added.

 Customers Bank is a subsidiary of Customers Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania and has an illustrious board of directors which includes the founder, C&C Alpha Group, Bhanu Choudhrie. 

LeaseTeam’s ASPIRE To Aid Customers Bank’s New Commercial Finance Business

Customers Bank, a state chartered, full-service US business bank, has come up with a segment to deal with end-to-end lease and loan management solutions called Customers Bank Commercial Finance (CBCF) and have chosen LeaseTeam’s ASPIRE to help them with it.

This new business division would be responsible for providing equipment finance and leasing products and services for customers from different asset classes. Service vendors, independent finance companies, dealers, bank-owned leasing companies and direct customers would also be eligible for these services.

ASPIRE, with an effective single system, will assist CBCF with their plans by making transactions easier; organising the adjudication process better through pipeline management and asset management.

Samuel H. Smith III, managing director of CBCF, explained about the value ASPIRE would add to their plans: “ASPIRE will provide everything in an end-to-end operating system solution that our commercial finance and leasing business was looking for. 

“LeaseTeam understands our unique challenges and is providing customized solutions that will enable us to process our transactions more efficiently while providing the flexibility for our future growth and expansion into new business channels and markets. We are very pleased with the progress we have made as a result of the expert guidance that Randy Haug and his team have provided.”

Randy Haug, co-founder and executive vice president at LeaseTeam said his team would work hard for Customers Bank and its clients’ success.

“We’re delighted to add Samuel H. Smith III and his trusted and experienced team to our growing family of bank equipment finance companies nationwide. The synergies between our group at LeaseTeam and Sam’s team were immediate. We are currently putting our combined years of experience, trust and integrity to work in the deployment of ASPIRE, which is being configured specifically for the success of Customers Bank Commercial Finance and its clients.”

Located in Portsmouth, Customers Bank Commercial Finance (CBCF) is a division of Customers Bancorp, Inc. It is known to provide a number of lease and financing products through vendor as well as direct and capital markets origination channels focused on markets such as industrial, packaging, franchise, plastics, construction, marine among others. Customers Bancorp Inc. engages in public banking services through its subsidiary Customers Bank, where the board of directors includes noted names like Bhanu Choudhrie and Jay S. Sidhu.

Atlantic Coast Financial Buoyed By Upward Mobility

On the back of its stock rating upgraded from a sell to a hold rating by The Street, the Atlantic Coast Financial Corp (NASDAQ:ACFC) has another ratings upgrade—this time from Zacks which has awarded it a buy rating.   The firm currently has $6.50 price objective on the stock.

According to Zacks, “Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation, formerly known as Atlantic Coast Federal Corporation, operates as a savings bank through its subsidiary Atlantic Coast Bank, a federally chartered and insured savings bank serving north-eastern Florida and south-eastern Georgia markets. The products offered by the bank includes checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, demand deposit accounts, time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, family residential first and second mortgage loans, home-equity loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial and residential construction loans, land and multi-family real estate loans, commercial business loans, and automobile and other consumer loans. Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is based in Waycross, Georgia.“

In another piece of related news, ACFC CEO John Kenneth Jr. Stephens through an acquisition back in August secured 10,000 shares of the stock at an average price of $6.20 per share, at accrued cost of $62,000.00. That positions the CEO as one of the topmost stock holders of the company with 30,690 shares valued at $190,278 in the ballpark.

ACFC has been a key interest area for brokerages as it continues with its positive showing on NASDAQ.  Other than The Street and Zacks, FBR & Co. raised their price target on ACFC shares from $5.50 to $6.50 back in July.

About Atlantic Coast Financial

Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is an publicly traded bank holding company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida (a Maryland corporation) and listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: ACFC), which wholly owns Atlantic Coast Bank. Atlantic Coast Bank's services are focused primarily on Personal Banking and Business Banking in the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia regions.

In its May 2015 AGM, the Bank re-elected two directors for three-year terms: Bhanu Choudhrie, Executive Director of C&C Alpha Group Ltd, a London-based private equity group; and James D. Hogan, retired Chief Risk Officer of the Company and the Bank.

Ananda Spa Recommended the Best Wellness Destination Worldwide

Wanderlust is one thing, lusting for an escape from the daily hustle bustle is another. What better escape is there than to vanish into the tranquil Himalayas? The king of all mountain ranges in the world, it is formed by the perfect amalgamation of pristine beauty and unmatchable might.

Situated amidst the towering snowy peaks is destination spa, Ananda In The Himalayas, a place to amplify the serene lavishness of the mountain range. Based in Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand, Ananda is spread across a 100-acre Himalayan mountain estate, overlooking the Ganges. Established in 2000, it combines international spa therapies with Yoga and Ayurvedic practices.

Such is its ascetic persona that Ananda was recently ranked number one among the top wellness destination of the world by Cheat Sheet in a list which includes Canyon Ranch, Red Mountain Resort and other famous spots from around the world. The list was compiled with destinations that help the guests find their inner self and motivate them to lead a better, healthier life. Ananda finishing first on the list is just an example of how utterly relaxing that place is. 

Ananda focuses on blending the centuries old Ayurvedic traditions with modern and international spa treatments. A few hours into their service and you will start to feel detoxification, de-stress and a deep relaxation. Through the specialised programmes at Ananda, you can lose weight, undergo anti-ageing, and emerge as a rejuvenated, revitalized self. For treatment through Ayurveda, the age-old philosophy of ‘doshas’ is followed by the in-house doctors at Ananda.

Ananda literally translates to joy and that is the motto of this luxury destination spa. In recent years it was recommended as one of the best spas in the world by The Telegraph and chosen as the no. 1 destination spa in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine. Ananda- In the Himalayas has been visited by so many celebrities, for example, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and Melinda Gates, Kate Winslet, Deepak Chopra, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Martin, Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall etc. The experience at Ananda is inexplicable and can only be understood when you are deep in a state of trance, miles away from all the helter skelter.

Ananda Spa is managed by IHHR Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. with strategic guidance from C&C Alpha Group. The Group, where entrepreneur Bhanu Choudhrie is an Executive Director, runs a diverse investment portfolio in hospitality, realty, healthcare, aviation and utilities and has offices in the UK and India.

Nira Alpina: A Luxury Holiday, a Priceless Experience

St. Moritz a town of sheer beauty, made up of splendid hotels and vast pistes which run up to about 350 kilometers.

St. Moritz is unique because of the way nature meets man-made grandeur in the town. A paradise for skiing enthusiasts, it’s has now become a luxury holiday destination. Some extraordinary features of the town include horse riding on a frozen lake, world cup quality pistes, luxuriously calming spas and much more. 

Among the exotic hotels in the place, Nira Alpina definitely takes the cake especially after the bakery, conveniently called ‘The Bakery’, was included in The Telegraph’s list of top 40 mountain restaurants. Their exclusive preparations such as Swiss chocolate croissant, apple lattice pastry, Zopf etc., have left all the tasters drooling and asking for more.

This comes after a local resident, while speaking to the Style Altitude magazine, rated a fondue night at Nira Alpina’s Pichalian as one of the must-dos in St. Moritz.

Nira Alpina is a destination resort by Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of global private equity firm C&C Alpha (CCAG) and is the only ski-in ski-out hotel in the area. It is a dream come true for skiing enthusiasts as a private walkway leads to the Corvatsch cable car, a direct gateway to the highest drop point at 10,000 ft.

While a wonderland in winters, Nira Alpina is equally good in summers because of its strategic location which makes access to biking and hiking trails easier. So get ready, a complete luxury holiday experience awaits you at St. Moritz!

About Nira Hotels & Resorts
   
Nira Hotels and Resorts is a part of Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of the C&C Alpha Group where entrepreneur Bhanu Choudhrie is an Executive Director and promoter. Shanti Hospitality’s portfolio includes award-winning brands like Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Nira Hotels & Resorts and Nidra Hotels and its pipeline projects span worldwide across Asia, Europe and the Indian sub-continent.

Nira Montana Bags Luxury Design Hotel of the Year

Imagine standing amidst the snow clad Alps, ready to ski on world class pistes and in no time at all ski your way from Italy to France. No, this is not from a fantasy book, this is La Thuile. A host for next year’s women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup in February, La Thuile is a wonderful blend of natural grandeur and man-made luxury.

A mining town in the old days, La Thuile is now a luxury destination which is adored by ski lovers, because it one of the best places in the world to ski due to the quality pistes and is relatively quiet compared to other places in the Alps. 

Nira Montana, a member of Design Hotels, epitomises the town’s efforts to be a luxury spot as well as an aesthetic getaway. Standing against the backdrop of the sensational Mont Blanc, Nira Montana is a wonder in itself. Luxury Travel Guide recently complimented Nira Montana’s grandeur by awarding it the ‘Luxury Design Hotel of the Year’. The winners for Luxury Travel Guide’s awards are chosen by a team of experts that travel all around the globe and handpick the best among hotels, airline and tour operators. 

Giuseppe Artolli, General Manager of Nira Montana, was elated about the nod from Luxury Travel Guide and said, “We are elated to have been awarded Luxury Design Hotel of the Year. Nira Montana’s design is based on the valley’s traditional houses, with a contemporary Nira twist, designed to ensure complete care has been taken with the origins of materials used. It is this fresh positioning that has contributed to us winning this prestigious award.’ 

If you haven’t booked your room in Nira Montana already, just close your eyes and imagine sipping morning coffee in your room, on a moderately sunny day, with the glare from the snow on Mont Blanc lighting up the outdoors. 

About Nira Montana:

Nira Montana is a part of Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of global private equity firm C&C Alpha (CCAG) of which Bhanu Choudhrie is an executive director, and is the newest among Nira Hotels & Resorts. Other members of the Nira family include Nira Alpina in Silvaplana, St. Moritz, Shanti Maurice in Mauritius and Nira Caledonia in Edinburgh, Scotland. C&C Alpha Group runs a diverse investment portfolio in hospitality, realty, healthcare, aviation and utilities with offices in the UK and India. 

Ananda Spa Recommended the Best Wellness Destination Worldwide

Wanderlust is one thing, lusting for an escape from the daily hustle bustle is another. What better escape is there than to vanish into the tranquil Himalayas? The king of all mountain ranges in the world, it is formed by the perfect amalgamation of pristine beauty and unmatchable might. 

Situated amidst the towering snowy peaks is destination spa, Ananda In The Himalayas, a place to amplify the serene lavishness of the mountain range. Based in Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand, Ananda is spread across a 100-acre Himalayan mountain estate, overlooking the Ganges. Established in 2000, it combines international spa therapies with Yoga and Ayurvedic practices. 

Such is its ascetic persona that Ananda was recently ranked number one among the top wellness destination of the world by Cheat Sheet in a list which includes Canyon Ranch, Red Mountain Resort and other famous spots from around the world. The list was compiled with destinations that help the guests find their inner self and motivate them to lead a better, healthier life. Ananda finishing first on the list is just an example of how utterly relaxing that place is. 

Ananda focuses on blending the centuries old Ayurvedic traditions with modern and international spa treatments. A few hours into their service and you will start to feel detoxification, de-stress and a deep relaxation. Through the specialised programmes at Ananda, you can lose weight, undergo anti-ageing, and emerge as a rejuvenated, revitalized self. For treatment through Ayurveda, the age-old philosophy of ‘doshas’ is followed by the in-house doctors at Ananda.

Ananda literally translates to joy and that is the motto of this luxury destination spa. In recent years it was recommended as one of the best spas in the world by The Telegraph and chosen as the no. 1 destination spa in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine. Ananda- In the Himalayas has been visited by so many celebrities, for example, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and Melinda Gates, Kate Winslet, Deepak Chopra, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Martin, Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall etc. The experience at Ananda is inexplicable and can only be understood when you are deep in a state of trance, miles away from all the helter skelter.

Ananda Spa is managed by IHHR Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. with strategic guidance from C&C Alpha Group. The Group, where entrepreneur Bhanu Choudhrie is an Executive Director, runs a diverse investment portfolio in hospitality, realty, healthcare, aviation and utilities and has offices in the UK and India. 

Nira Alpina: Where Opulence Meets Nature

St. Moritz is famous worldwide for being a luxury holiday destination. The brilliance of snow clad mountains, world cup quality ski pistes and splendour of the majestic hotels add to the fame of St. Moritz.

There’s a lot to do in St. Moritz including horse riding or playing polo on a frozen lake, skiing off one of the steepest drops on the planet (Piz Nair) eating a lavish dinner at the posh restaurants or simply relaxing at a spa.

Perhaps the best place to have the complete St. Moritz experience is at the Nira Alpina hotel. A destination resort from Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of global private equity firm C&C Alpha (CCAG), Nira Alpina is the most convenient place to be in St. Moritz thanks to its ski-in ski-out facility.

Just a walk through a private walkway will take you to the Corvatsch cable car from where you can reach 10,000 ft. in just 15 minutes. Another thing that makes St. Moritz so special is their food, to which even The Telegraph agrees.

In a recent article, The Telegraph placed Nira Alpina’s The Bakery among the top 40 mountain restaurants in the world. The Bakery’s Swiss chocolate croissant, apple lattice pastry, apple strudel and zopf among other preparations make it a must-visit, no matter how many times you’ve been to St. Moritz. 

The Bakery is not the only Nira Alpina product to receive critical acclaim. While talking to Style Altitude magazine, a local resident included fondue night at Nira Alpina’s Pichalian in the list of must-dos at St. Moritz.

Nira Alpina is also a perfect luxury holiday destination for the summers because of its proximity to hiking and biking trails. So pack your bags while luxury awaits you.

About Nira Hotels & Resorts

Nira Hotels and Resorts is a part of Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of the C&C Alpha Group where entrepreneur Bhanu Choudhrie is an Executive Director and promoter. Shanti Hospitality’s portfolio includes award-winning brands like Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Nira Hotels & Resorts and Nidra Hotels and its pipeline projects span worldwide across Asia, Europe and the Indian sub-continent.

Nira Alpina: A Heavenly Fusion on Earth

Many cities have acquired famous phrases for themselves. Like, when in Rome, do as the Romans do or whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Some places are famous on the world map and simply inexplicable through mere phrases.

St. Moritz is one such place which has inspired poetry and art but no one can come close to the experience you have when you visit the heavenly place. Lying amidst the Swiss Alps, St. Moritz has a glory of its own with 350 km long pistes with heights of up to 10,000 feet.

The glory is further embellished by luxury hotels and activities such as playing polo on a frozen lake and enthralling ski rides. For skiing enthusiasts, Nira Alpina is probably the best hotel to stay in because of its ski-in ski-out facilities. Passing through a private walkway you will reach the Corvatsch cable car which will take you to the topmost ski point in a matter of 15 minutes.

A destination resort from Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of global private equity firm C&C Alpha (CCAG), Nira Alpina is also famous for its sumptuous preparations. The Telegraph recently included Nira Alpina’s The Bakery in its list of top 40 mountain restaurants.

Some of their mouth-watering and soul-stirring preparations include Swiss chocolate croissant, apple strudel, raspberry and vanilla turnover and zopf. They have recipes for curing your sweet cravings at any time of the day.

In a recent interview with Style Altitude magazine, a resident of St. Moritz for 20 years, named fondue night at Nira Alpina’s Pichalian as one of the top things to do in St. Moritz.

Nira Alpina is your gateway to having the perfect St. Moritz experience, a place whose beauty can’t be defined in any language, and the only way it can be defined is by being there.

About Nira Hotels & Resorts

Nira Hotels and Resorts is a part of Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of the C&C Alpha Group where entrepreneur Bhanu Choudhrie is an Executive Director and promoter. Shanti Hospitality’s portfolio includes award-winning brands like Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Nira Hotels & Resorts and Nidra Hotels and its pipeline projects span worldwide across Asia, Europe and the Indian sub-continent.

Atlantic Coast Financial Continue to Impress Stock Holders

After The Street scaling up its stock from a sell to a hold rating, the Atlantic Coast Financial Corp (NASDAQ:ACFC) is buoyed by upgrade to a buy rating from ratings agency Zacks. ACFC currently has $6.50 price objective on the stock.

According to Zacks, “Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation, formerly known as Atlantic Coast Federal Corporation, operates as a savings bank through its subsidiary Atlantic Coast Bank, a federally chartered and insured savings bank serving north-eastern Florida and south-eastern Georgia markets. The products offered by the bank includes checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, demand deposit accounts, time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, family residential first and second mortgage loans, home-equity loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial and residential construction loans, land and multi-family real estate loans, commercial business loans, and automobile and other consumer loans. Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is based in Waycross, Georgia.“

In another bit of news around ACFC, CEO John Kenneth Jr. Stephens through an acquisition back in August bought 10,000 shares of the stock at an average price of $6.20 per share and accrued cost of $62,000.00. That marks the CEO as one of the most influential stock holders of the company with 30,690 shares valued at $190,278 in the ballpark.

ACFC has been a key opportunity area for brokerages following its continued positive showing on NASDAQ.  Other than The Street and Zacks, FBR & Co. raised their price target on ACFC shares from $5.50 to $6.50 back in July.

About Atlantic Coast Financial

Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is an publicly traded bank holding company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida (a Maryland corporation) and listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: ACFC), which wholly owns Atlantic Coast Bank. Atlantic Coast Bank's services are focused primarily on Personal Banking and Business Banking in the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia regions.

In its May 2015 AGM, the Bank re-elected two directors for three-year terms: Bhanu Choudhrie, Executive Director of C&C Alpha Group Ltd, a London-based private equity group; and James D. Hogan, retired Chief Risk Officer of the Company and the Bank.

St. Moritz and Nira Alpina: A match made in the Alps

What’s your idea of a luxury holiday? Is it skiing around 350 kilometers wide world cup quality pistes? Is it staying in a five-star hotel against the backdrop of stunning snow clad mountains? Is it horse riding or playing polo on frozen lakes? If it is indeed any of these, St. Moritz is the ideal spot for you.

Although, it is famous for skiing pistes, which would remind you of your times on a scary roller coaster, you can still do a lot in St. Moritz even if you are not looking for adrenaline rush. You can go for calm walks Sils to Isola over frozen lakes, chill your bones in the mineral bath or just go ice-skating.

Apart from these activities, a resident of St. Moritz also suggests a fondue night at Pichalain in Nira Alpina. Speaking to Style Altitude Magazine, he called it one of the must-do’s in St. Moritz because of the exclusive bohemian experience. A destination resort from Shanti Hospitality, Nira Alpina is a subsidiary of global private equity firm C&C Alpha (CCAG), famous for being the only ski-in ski-out hotel in the area. 

Even while relaxing inside your room, you can enjoy a stunning view of Engadin Mountains and Lake Silvaplana. On more sunny days, you can sit out at the terrace of the Nira Alpina’s bistro and enjoy some warm coffee. There’s a well-equipped spa where you can have a cozy bath, massages, manicures and healing therapies like hot stone chakra placement.

It’s so immaculately placed at the foot of Mt. Corvatsch that you just have to walk through a private walkway to reach the Corvatsch cable car which lands you at 10, 000 feet above the ground--all in a matter of 15 minutes. Even during summers, Nira Alpina’s strategic placement will let you enjoy hiking and biking without any hassle. At the end of your trip you will be convinced that St. Moritz is really the perfect luxury holiday.

About Nira Hotel & Resorts

Nira Hotels and Resorts is a part of Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of the C&C Alpha Group where entrepreneur Bhanu Choudhrie is an Executive Director and promoter. Shanti Hospitality’s portfolio includes award-winning brands like Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Nira Hotels & Resorts and Nidra Hotels and its pipeline projects span worldwide across Asia, Europe and the Indian sub-continent.

Nira Alpina: A Bliss in the Alpine Luxury

When you look up at the sky and wonder if there’s paradise on Earth, tourists in St. Moritz smile with a wide grin. Placed in the mighty Alps, St. Moritz inspired the idea of Alpine holidays with its enormous pistes which run for 350 kilometers in the backdrop of grand and luxurious five-star holiday destinations.

St. Moritz is the perfect blend of recluse and opulence. One moment you might be skiing off a height of 10, 000 ft., and the other you might be wearing off your stress in a luxury spa. A polo game on a frozen lake might be followed by a caviar dinner with a stunning view of the Alps. The elegant landscape from the comfort of your room window can be replaced by the raw and bare view of Endagin valley from the Piz Nair Wall, which is one of the steepest drops on the planet.

All this fun and frolic can be enjoyed hassle-free at Nira Alpina. One of the most highly regarded tourist sites in St. Moritz,.Nira Alpina is a destination resort by Shanti Hospitality, which is a subsidiary of global private equity firm C&C Alpha (CCAG). A ski-in, ski-out hotel, in fact the only in St. Moritz, you just need to walk on a private walkway till the Corvatsch cable car and bam, you’ll reach 10, 000 ft. in 15 minutes! 

Style Altitude magazine recently acclaimed the grandeur of Nira Alpina while interviewing a resident who fell so much in love with St. Moritz that he’s been there for two decades now. A fondue night at Nira Alpina’s Pichalain is what started the affair, and he recommends it as one of the must-dos in St. Moritz. The bohemian ambiance and the sumptuous food at Nira Alpina make him keep coming back for more.

It’s the perfect hotel to be in during winters because you can reach the vertical limit of skiing through the private walkway, without even going outside, literally. Although, in summers too, the hotel’s strategic placement at the foot of Mt. Corvatsch, will give you an advantage if you are interested in high altitude hiking and biking trails. If St. Moritz is the paradise on earth, Nira Alpina is definitely the gateway to heaven.

About Nira Hotels & Resorts

Nira Hotels and Resorts is a part of Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of the C&C Alpha Group where entrepreneur Bhanu Choudhrie is an Executive Director and promoter. Shanti Hospitality’s portfolio includes award-winning brands like Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Nira Hotels & Resorts and Nidra Hotels and its pipeline projects span worldwide across Asia, Europe and the Indian sub-continent.

Nira Alpina: Your Gateway to a Mesmerizing Alpine World

Few ski destinations around the world can match up to St. Moritz—the birthplace of Alpine holidays studded with a massive 350 kilometers of pistes and luxury five-star holiday destinations.

For seekers of a high-octane adrenaline rush, there’s The Corviglia—the steepest start slope in the entire Switzerland—and the Piz Nair Wall—one of the steepest drops on the planet. For those who yearn for more daredevilry, there’s horse racing, polo and kiting—all done on a frozen lake.

However, St. Moritz is not just all about rollicking fun and games—it has another side that hooks shopping lovers, party lovers, and foodies, and Nira Alpina leads that trend, sitting on top of the list of many food connoisseurs, travellers and adventure seekers.

After winning several accolades from different corners, the destination resort from Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of global private equity firm C&C Alpha (CCAG), was acclaimed by Style Altitude magazine in an interview with a St. Moritz resident who’s been up there for twenty years and knows the place like his own backyard.
 

 

Among the endless possibilities, a fondue night at Nira Alpina’s Pichalain ranks right on top. The experience is truly bohemian which makes it remarkable and absolutely worth your while. 

The hotel in itself is a naturally strategic location at the foot of Mt. Corvatsch-- a great vantage point to peer through the serene Alpine settings. The ski out/ski in hotel promises some of the finest skiing experiences for you through a private walkway that connects it to the Corvatsch cable car station.

In winters, it’s your direct link to skiing pistes, while in summers, some stunning high-altitude hiking and biking trails rule the roost. The bewildering wonderland that is Nira Alpina makes it a paradise for the world’s well-travelled and worldly to discover, reinvent and enjoy Alpine vacations.

About Nira Hotels & Resorts

Nira Hotels and Resorts is a part of Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of the C&C Alpha Group lead by Executive Director and promoter Bhanu Choudhrie. Shanti Hospitality’s portfolio includes award-winning brands like Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Nira Hotels & Resorts and Nidra Hotels. Its pipeline projects span worldwide across Asia, Europe and the Indian sub-continent.

Hyatt Culinary Challenge To Spark a Corporate Fiesta

After introducing the "Hyatt Culinary Challenge - people cooking for people" in 2014, the hotel chain is back with the 2015 edition of the event that seeks celebrating Hyatt’s rich oriental heritage. This year, it will cut across 10 Hyatt destinations in India, commencing October 31.

Conceptualised as a platform for corporates to come together and showcase their culinary talent, the Challenge sees each participant paired up with a child from the SMILE foundation—Hyatt’s partner NGO in India—and together they will put up their version of a well-known recipe. One winner from each of the 10 competing cities will be picked by an illustrious judges’ panel for a final face-off in the grand finale in Mumbai in November 2015.

The preliminary rounds will take place across Hyatt Hotels in Ahmedabad (Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad), Amritsar (Hyatt Amritsar), Bangalore (Hyatt Bangalore), Chennai (Park Hyatt Chennai), Delhi (Hyatt Regency Delhi), Goa (Grand Hyatt Goa), Hyderabad (Hyatt Hyderabad), Kolkata (Hyatt Regency Kolkata), Mumbai (Hyatt Regency Mumbai), and Pune (Hyatt Regency Pune) on October 31 and November 1, 2015. The pre-event proceedings will be covered digitally as one participant from each city makes it to the preliminary stage.

According to Vikram Singh Verma, COO, SMILE Foundation, "In order to bring some real and permanent changes in the lives of the most deserving children across India, members of the civil society need to be involved proactively in the process of development. We are overwhelmed by the support from Hyatt India and hope for continued collaboration in the future to see lasting impact in the uplift of our local communities."

Speaking on the occasion, Harleen Mehta, Vice President Sales Operations, Hyatt South Asia, said, "The Hyatt Culinary Challenge is an endeavour to bring together people to celebrate their passion for food and make a difference to the community while doing so. We are delighted with the overwhelming response from the participants both offline and online, and look forward to doing more such events over the years."

About Hyatt Group of Hotels

Headquartered in Chicago, Hyatt Hotels Corporation is one of the world’s leading hospitality establishments with presence across six continents. Five of its portfolio hotels in India—Hyatt Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Pune, Bangalore, and Hyderabad—are operated by the UK-based private equity and investment firm C&C Alpha Group where entrepreneur Bhanu Choudhrie is an Executive Director and promoter. The Group is known for investing in real estate, hospitality, healthcare, Aviation, and utilities and made news recently after its UK hospital chain, Alpha Hospitals, was sold off for a landmark £ 95m as C&C Alpha looks up to India for its investment initiatives.

Steady Atlantic Coast Financial Gets Buy Rating

A steady stock with a positive outlook set rating agency Zacks to upgrade the stock assessment for Atlantic Coast Financial Corp (NASDAQ:ACFC) from a hold rating to a buy rating.  This comes after another stock analyst, The Street, upheld it from a sell to a hold rating in July.  The firm currently has $6.50 price objective on the stock.

According to Zacks, “Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation, formerly known as Atlantic Coast Federal Corporation, operates as a savings bank through its subsidiary Atlantic Coast Bank, a federally chartered and insured savings bank serving north-eastern Florida and south-eastern Georgia markets. The products offered by the bank includes checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, demand deposit accounts, time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, family residential first and second mortgage loans, home-equity loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial and residential construction loans, land and multi-family real estate loans, commercial business loans, and automobile and other consumer loans. Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is based in Waycross, Georgia. “

In another piece of news related to ACFC, CEO John Kenneth Jr. Stephens after acquiring 10,000 shares of the stock in August at an average price of $6.20 per share valued at $190,278 became a leading stakeholder in the holding company. 

ACFC has been attracting brokerages as it continues its upward mobility on NASDAQ.  Other than The Street and Zacks, FBR & Co. had raised their price target on ACFC shares from $5.50 to $6.50 back in July.

About Atlantic Coast Financial

Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is an publicly traded bank holding company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida (a Maryland corporation) and listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: ACFC), which wholly owns Atlantic Coast Bank. Atlantic Coast Bank's services are focused primarily on Personal Banking and Business Banking in the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia regions.

In its May 2015 AGM, the Bank re-elected two directors for three-year terms: Bhanu Choudhrie, Executive Director of C&C Alpha Group Ltd, a London-based private equity group; and James D. Hogan, retired Chief Risk Officer of the Company and the Bank.

Atlantic Coast Financial Gets Buy Rating From Zacks

A defiant stock with progressive sentiments has made rating agency Zacks scale up the stock assessment for Coast Financial Corp (NASDAQ:ACFC) from a hold rating to a buy rating. This comes after The Street had reviewed the stock in July and upgraded it from a sell to a hold rating. The firm currently has $6.50 price objective on the stock.

According to Zacks, “Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation, formerly known as Atlantic Coast Federal Corporation, operates as a savings bank through its subsidiary Atlantic Coast Bank, a federally chartered and insured savings bank serving north-eastern Florida and south-eastern Georgia markets. The products offered by the bank includes checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, demand deposit accounts, time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, family residential first and second mortgage loans, home-equity loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial and residential construction loans, land and multi-family real estate loans, commercial business loans, and automobile and other consumer loans. Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is based in Waycross, Georgia.“

In another piece of related news, ACFC CEO John Kenneth Jr. Stephens acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in August at an average price of $6.20 per share, at accrued costs of $62,000.00. That makes him among the topmost stakeholders of the company’s stock with 30,690 shares valued at nearly $190,278.

ACFC has been attracting brokerages as it has continued its upward mobility on NASDAQ.  Other than The Street and Zacks, FBR & Co. had raised their price target on ACFC shares from $5.50 to $6.50 back in July.

About Atlantic Coast Financial

Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is an publicly traded bank holding company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida (a Maryland corporation) and listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: ACFC), which wholly owns Atlantic Coast Bank. Atlantic Coast Bank's services are focused primarily on Personal Banking and Business Banking in the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia regions.

In its May 2015 AGM, the Bank re-elected two directors for three-year terms: Bhanu Choudhrie, Executive Director of C&C Alpha Group Ltd, a London-based private equity group; and James D. Hogan, retired Chief Risk Officer of the Company and the Bank.

C&C Alpha Marks India Out for its Upcoming Investments

With a landmark £95m sale of its London hospital chain Alpha Hospitals to Cygnet Healthcare, international private equity firm C&C Alpha Group (CCAG) has marked out India for its next set of investments.

"We will now be looking for new investment opportunities in healthcare and other speciality services in India, which provide a big investment opportunity. The group plans to invest about Rs 1,500 crore in the healthcare and hospitality sectors over the next three to five year horizon in India," said CCAG’s executive director, Bhanu Choudhrie.

CCAG has a subsidiary presence in India through the wholly owned group, Shanti Hospitality which markets, promotes, and manages brands such as Hyatt Hotels, Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Amritara Resorts and Nidra Hotels. CCAG is now looking to foster its Indian presence through pan-India strategic business partnerships, mergers and associations.

"In hospitality, we have already planned to add about 1,800 rooms in India under three brands - Hyatt, Four Points and Aloft Hotels - to take our total strength to about 3,000 rooms. In addition to this, the C&C Alpha Group is also building a 200-beds super specialty hospital in South Delhi, for which we have already acquired the land", said Choudhrie. 

As an international private equity firm, CCAG has a reputation for incubating businesses through investments in healthcare, hospitality, real estate, aviation, utilities and agriculture sectors by taking a mid-to-long term view of its investments.

The firm promotes stakeholder value creation for its portfolio companies through strategic collaborations with entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, project managers, and financial analysts for organic growth and strategic partnerships, and its investment cycle that typically involves investing £2-40 million per transaction.

Headquartered in London, CCAG has running offices in India. Before the sell-off, its hospital subsidiary Alpha Hospitals was the largest purveyor of behavioural care services for adults and adolescents in the entire England.

C&C Alpha Group Seeks India For Private Equity Investments

After grabbing headlines for the £95m sale of its London hospital chain Alpha Hospitals to Cygnet Healthcare, international private equity firm C&C Alpha Group (CCAG) has positioned India as its next big investment route.

"We will now be looking for new investment opportunities in healthcare and other speciality services in India, which provide a big investment opportunity. The group plans to invest about Rs 1,500 crore in the healthcare and hospitality sectors over the next three to five year period in India," said CCAG executive director, Bhanu Choudhrie.

CCAG is known in India by its subsidiary, Shanti Hospitality, which markets, promotes, and manages brands such as Hyatt Hotels, Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Amritara Resorts and Nidra Hotels.  Now, the group is looking to expand its India operations through multi-dimensional partnerships and associations.

"In hospitality, we have already planned to add about 1,800 rooms in India under three brands - Hyatt, Four Points and Aloft Hotels - to take our total strength to about 3,000 rooms. In addition to this, the C&C Alpha Group is also building a 200-beds super specialty hospital in South Delhi, for which we have already acquired the land", said Choudhrie. 

As a private equity firm, CCAG is known for incubating businesses through investments in healthcare, hospitality, real estate, aviation, utilities and agriculture sectors by taking a mid-to-long term view of its investments.

The firm promotes stakeholder value creation for its portfolio companies through strategic collaborations with entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, project managers, and financial analysts for organic growth and strategic partnerships, and its investment cycle that typically involves investing £2-40 million per transaction.

Headquartered in London, the group has ground offices in India. Before the sell-off, its hospital subsidiary Alpha Hospitals was the largest purveyor of behavioural care services for adults and adolescents in the entire England.

C&C Alpha Group Marks Out India for Investments Worth Rs 1,500 Crore

After making news with the sale of its London hospital chain, Alpha Hospitals, to Cygnet Healthcare for £95m, international private equity firm C&C Alpha Group (CCAG) has held India as the next investment avenue.

"We will now be looking for new investment opportunities in healthcare and other speciality services in India, which provide a big investment opportunity. The group plans to invest about Rs 1,500 crore in the healthcare and hospitality sectors over the next 3 to 5 year horizon in India," said CCAG promoter and executive director, Bhanu Choudhrie.

CCAG operates in India through a wholly owned subsidiary, Shanti Hospitality, which markets, promotes, and manages brands like Hyatt Hotels, Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Amritara Resorts and Nidra Hotels. The group is now looking to expand its Indian presence through new partnerships and pan-India associations.

"In hospitality, we have already planned to add about 1,800 rooms in India under three brands - Hyatt, Four Points and Aloft Hotels - to take our total strength to about 3,000 rooms. In addition to this, the C&C Alpha Group is also building a 200-beds super specialty hospital in South Delhi, for which we have already acquired the land", said Choudhrie.  

CCAG is known as a global private equity firm that incubates and invests in businesses in healthcare, hospitality, real estate, aviation, utilities and agriculture sectors by taking a mid-to-long term view of its investments. The firm promotes stakeholder value creation for its portfolio companies through strategic collaborations with entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, project managers, and financial analysts for organic growth and strategic partnerships, and its investment cycle that typically involves investing £2-40 million per transaction.

Headquartered in London, the group has parallel offices in India. Its hospital subsidiary, Alpha Hospitals was the largest purveyor of behavioural care services for adults and adolescents in the entire England.

C&C Alpha Looks At India for Investments Worth Rs. 1, 500 Crore

After closing the £95m sale of its Alpha Hospitals to Cygnet Healthcare, international private equity firm C&C Alpha Group (CCAG) has announced it would be investing in India’s healthcare and hospitality sectors.

"We will now be looking for new investment opportunities in healthcare and other speciality services in India, which provide a big investment opportunity. The Group plans to invest about Rs 1,500 crore in the healthcare and hospitality sectors over the next 3 to 5 year horizon in India," said CCAG promoter and executive director, Bhanu Choudhrie.

CCAG, which has a pan-Indian presence through its wholly owned subsidiary Shanti Hospitality which promotes and manages brands like Hyatt Hotels, Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Amritara Resorts and Nidra Hotels in India, will look to build on it by forging new strategic partnerships and business associations.
"In hospitality, we have already planned to add about 1,800 rooms in India under three brands - Hyatt, Four Points and Aloft Hotels - to take our total strength to about 3,000 rooms. In addition to this, the C&C Alpha Group is also building a 200-beds super specialty hospital in South Delhi, for which we have already acquired the land", said Choudhrie. 

As a global private equity firm, CCAG incubates businesses in healthcare, hospitality, real estate, aviation, utilities and agriculture sectors by taking a mid-to-long term view of its investments. The firm builds stakeholder value for its portfolio companies by collaborating with entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, project managers, and financial analysts for organic growth and strategic partnerships, and has an investment cycle that typically involves investing £2-40 million per transaction.

Headquartered in London, the group has its offices in India and its subsidiary Alpha Hospitals was the largest purveyor of behavioural care services for adults and adolescents in England.

After Alpha Hospitals Sale, C&C Alpha Group Seeks Business Opportunities in India

After making news with the £95m sale of its the largest hospital chain for behavioural care services for adults and adolescents in England, private equity firm C&C Alpha Group (CCAG) has announced India as its new area of interest where it plans to invest in the healthcare and hospitality sectors. 

"We will now be looking for new investment opportunities in healthcare and other speciality services in India, which provide a big investment opportunity. The Group plans to invest about Rs 1,500 crore in the healthcare and hospitality sectors over the next 3 to 5 year horizon in India," said CCAG promoter and executive director, Bhanu Choudhrie.

CCAG plans to build on its Indian existence through its wholly-owned Shanti Hospitality which promotes and manages brands in India like Hyatt Hotels, Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Amritara Resorts and Nidra Hyatt Hotels. The group has plans of exploring new business avenues, associations and partnerships for greater outreach in India. 

"In hospitality, we have already planned to add about 1,800 rooms in India under three brands - Hyatt, Four Points and Aloft Hotels - to take our total strength to about 3,000 rooms. In addition to this, the C&C Alpha Group is also building a 200-beds super specialty hospital in South Delhi, for which we have already acquired the land", said Choudhrie. 

As a private equity investment firm with an investment perspective that typically involves investing £2-40 million per transaction, CCAG is known for incubating businesses in healthcare, hospitality, real estate, aviation, utilities and agriculture sectors by taking a mid-to-long term view of its investments. It looks to create stakeholder value for its portfolio companies by bringing together entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, project managers, and financial analysts for organic growth and strategic partnerships.

The group is headquartered in London and group has offices in India. The Alpha Hospitals sell-off was preceded by another landmark deal brokered by C&C Alpha for the Abu Dhabi-based VPS Healthcare Group for the first proton beam therapy facility in the UK.

Atlantic Coast Financial Sparking Investments in Florida

Strategic and organisational reforms have seen Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: ACFC), the holding company for Atlantic Coast Bank, chart out three years of financial resurgence wherein it broke beyond solvency into a full-scale profit-making unit.

That has invoked investor interest in the company and lead to Illinois based investment firm PL Capital Group claiming a 6.4 percent stake in ACFC.  PL Capital is largely known for making investments in small to midsized banks for influencing strategy formulation and operational management. The investment in Atlantic Coast is likely inspired by the group’s track record which’s been throwing up bundle of opportunities along the way.

As puts John Stephens, CEO, Atlantic Coast Bank, “The bank has attracted a lot of attention over the last 18 months as a result of our $48 million capital raise and successful turnaround strategy. ACB has a strong leadership team that has demonstrated an ability to generate consistent earnings, and the bank is well positioned for continued growth.”

PL Capital has not had any further buy-up in the company since July and there’s been no indication of any purchase. There is a 9.9 percent capping on PL’s stake in ACFC, which is not resorting to anything different in response to the investment.

“We continue to execute on our strategy of revenue acceleration, coupled with operational excellence, expense management, and risk mitigation,” Stephens said. “We remain excited about our future, as we’re committed to grow the bank and continue creating shareholder value”, he said.

About Atlantic Coast Financial

Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is an publicly traded bank holding company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida (a Maryland corporation) and listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: ACFC), which wholly owns Atlantic Coast Bank. Atlantic Coast Bank's services are focused primarily on Personal Banking and Business Banking in the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia regions.

At its annual general meeting in May 2015, the Bank re-elected another consecutive three-year term two of its directors: Bhanu Choudhrie, Executive Director of C&C Alpha Group Ltd, a London-based private equity group; and James D. Hogan, retired Chief Risk Officer of the Company and the Bank.

C&C Alpha Group Eyes India for Investments Worth Rs 1,500 crore

After Cygent Healthcare’s £95m buyout of Alpha Hospitals, international private equity firm C&C Alpha Group (CCAG) is now looking at investments in the Indian healthcare and hospitality sectors. In a recent statement, the group has announced of plans to invest in India over the next three to five years.

"We will now be looking for new investment opportunities in healthcare and other speciality services in India, which provide a big investment opportunity. The Group plans to invest about Rs 1,500 crore in the healthcare and hospitality sectors over the next 3 to 5 year horizon in India," said CCAG promoter and executive director, Bhanu Choudhrie.

CCAG operates in India through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shanti Hospitality which has to its credit brands and assets like Hyatt Hotels, Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Amritara Resorts and Nidra Hotels. By building new strategic partnerships, CCAG is now looking at strengthening its Indian footprint.  

"In hospitality, we have already planned to add about 1,800 rooms in India under three brands - Hyatt, Four Points and Aloft Hotels - to take our total strength to about 3,000 rooms. In addition to this, the C&C Alpha Group is also building a 200-beds super specialty hospital in South Delhi, for which we have already acquired the land", said Choudhrie.  

As a private equity investment firm, CCAG is known for incubating businesses in healthcare, hospitality, real estate, aviation, utilities and agriculture sectors by taking a mid-to-long term view of its investments. Its investment perspective typically involves investing £2-40 million per transaction as it looks to create stakeholder value for its portfolio companies by bringing together entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, project managers, and financial analysts for organic growth and strategic partnerships.

Headquartered in London, the group has its offices in India, and through Alpha Hospitals was the largest purveyor of behavioural care services for adults and adolescents in England. 

C&C Alpha Group to Invest Rs 1,500 Crore in India

After the landmark £95m sale of Alpha Hospitals to Cygnet Healthcare of Universal Health Services (UHS), London-based international private equity firm C&C Alpha Group (CCAG) is planning expansion into healthcare and hospitality sectors in India.

"We will now be looking for new investment opportunities in healthcare and other speciality services in India, which provide a big investment opportunity. The Group plans to invest about Rs 1,500 crore in the healthcare and hospitality sectors over the next 3 to 5 year horizon in India," said executive director, Mr. Bhanu Choudhrie.

CCAG already has a presence in India through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Shanti Hospitality, which runs hospitality brands that include Hyatt Hotels, Ananda in the Himalayas (managed by IHHR), Amritara Resorts and Nidra Hotels, which is planning on adding fourteen hotels in the next 7 years period.

The group is eyeing to augment its market share through existing and new associations.  "In hospitality, we have already planned to add about 1,800 rooms in India under three brands - Hyatt, Four Points and Aloft Hotels - to take our total strength to about 3,000 rooms. In addition to this, the C&C Alpha Group is also building a 200-beds super specialty hospital in South Delhi, for which we have already acquired the land," Choudhrie said.

As an investment holding company, CCAG incubates, grows and creates value for its portfolio companies. Its track record includes successful ventures in healthcare, hospitality, real estate, aviation, utilities and agriculture. By bringing together entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, project managers and financial analysts, it aims to create stakeholder value by organic growth and strategic partnerships. CCAG typically invests 2m-40m per transaction and takes a mid-to-long-term view of its investments.

The buyout of Alpha Hospitals was viewed as an ‘excellent geographical fit’ by UHS--one of the largest hospital providers in the US. With the addition of four new hospitals and 305 beds, UHS now has a total of of 21 hospitals and approximately 1,100 beds in the UK through its subsidiary Cygnet.

Acquisition of Alpha Hospitals Gets C&C Alpha £95m

After it brokered a breakthrough £150-million deal for the Abu Dhabi-based VPS Healthcare Group recently, international private equity firm C&C Alpha Group (CCAG) has announced the sale of Alpha Hospitals to Cygnet Healthcare in a £95-million acquisition.

Cygnet Healthcare is the UK arm of the parent company, Universal Health Services (UHS), which has held the development as an ‘excellent geographical fit’ to their expanding UK business. The acquistion adds four new hospitals and 305 beds to the rapidly expanding Cygnet family. 

Launched in 2002 with CCAG’s financial backing, Alpha Hospitals is the largest purveyor of behavioural care services for adults and adolescents in England and is defined by its state-of-the-art facilities in Bury, Sheffield and Woking.  It is known for excellence in a sector where secure settings are extremely critical and definitive of specialised tertiary care.

Patricia Hodgkinson, former CEO of Florence Nightingale Hospitals, initiated the group which was soon joined by C&C Alpha Group founder, Mr. Bhanu Choudhrie. With working associations with the NHS and its local commissioning partners, Alpha Hospitals grew on from its first site-- a disused hospital in 2003 in Woking, Surrey—to amass a turnover of £42.1 million for the year ended March 2014.

Since then, it has been attracting business interests from buyers and investors, including UHS—one of the largest hospital providers in the US.

"The strong interest we had from potential bidders and the price we ultimately received is testament to the strength of the business," said Choudhrie. "CCAG incubated Alpha Hospitals and invested in it for 13 years, allowing it to scale up and grow successfully. I am delighted it will continue to grow under a new owner.”

"Our approach is to back management teams which create long-term value. I was on the board at its inception and have always taken a close personal interest in the business. We will now be looking for new investment opportunities in healthcare and other speciality services", he added.

CCAG facilitates business interests in healthcare, hospitality, real estate, aviation, utilities and agriculture. Its £150-million deal with VPS for a cancer hospital in London will see the first full-scale proton beam therapy centre come up in the UK and is the first healthcare facility to be re-developed in over 30 years.

C&C Alpha Group is headquartered in London with offices in India. Established as a holding company for private venture capitalists with more than 30 years of industry captivity, it brings together entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, project managers and financial analysts to create stakeholder value through organic growth and strategic partnerships.

Bunny Chow is the talk of town in Soho, London

Modern, fast-paced lifestyles leave little room to enjoy the meal that makes your day –the breakfast. While you might not always be positioned to prepare one yourself, there’s always the choice to drop by at a nearby restaurant and grab a quick bite. The latest fad in London’s Soho district is something similar but with a South African heritage--the Bunny Chow—a signatory South African-inspired breakfast dish served with an English spin at a restaurant that’s all the rage right now, Bunnychow.  

Having won the ‘most innovative breakfast in the UK award’ earlier this year, Bunnychow has built up wide acclaim for its funky innovations which are a take on the classic full English bunny. The 4 versions here include the ‘Durban Bunny’(slow-cooked mutton curry offered with a choice of toppings including a mango chutney and raita), the ‘Chakalaka Bunny’(spicy chicken and tomato, similarly offered with a choice of toppings), the Piri Piri Pork Bunny’ (pulled pork and Bunnyschow’s homemade Peri-Peri sauce), and the ‘Veggie Bunny’(cauliflower, chickpeas, paneer and a spicy South African sauce).

While Bunny Chow had already made it to the UK through its English adaptation, the full English Bunny, Atholl Milton, the founder and owner at Bunnychow, sought a dash of authentic South African Heritage to the delicacy after his visits to Durban and Cape Town."The actual combo of a bunny and a beer was really appealing and I loved the idea of the bunny being portable and I thought the notion of a portable lunch would work really well in London because it's a city that is constantly on the move,” says Milton –thereby revealing how Bunnychow came into being.

The classic full English Bunny is a hollowed-out brioche loaf stuffed with bacon, button mushrooms, sausages, bobotie spiced beans, black pudding and topped off with a fried egg.  Whether it is to be had handheld or with a fork is a dividing question—while the world prefers a free hand, Londoners find cutlery as their choice.
 
Bunnychow started off mobile, as a food truck and was soon a successful pop-up shop. The first pop-up shop came up in Boxpark, Shoreditch, London and their new restaurant is opening up on Wardour Street. It is owned by the hospitality group, Shanti Hospitality, a subsidiary of the larger holding company, C&C Alpha Group which has entrepreneurs Mr. Bhanu Choudhrie and Dhairya Choudhrie on the board of directors.  

Alpha Hospitals Acquired in £95m by Cygnet

Alpha Hospitals, the largest purveyor of specialist psychiatric care in England, has changed hands from its international private equity owner, C&C Alpha Group (CCAG) in a £95m sell-off. With the new ownership, Cygnet Healthcare and the parent company Universal Health Services (UHS) have their UK footprint strengthened.

Launched in 2002 with the vision of improving standards of personalised care for adults and children with behavioural and psychiatric conditions, Alpha Hospitals state-of-the-art facilities in Bury, Sheffield, and Woking have been a new high in a sector where secure settings define tertiary care. 

Originally launched by Patricia Hodgkinson, the former chief executive of the Florence Nightingale Hospitals Group, it got on the board the founder C&C Alpha Group, Bhanu Choudhrie. Summing up the acquisition, he said, “The strong interest we had from potential bidders, and the price we ultimately received, is testament to the strength of the business. CCAG incubated Alpha Hospitals and invested in it for 13 years, allowing it to scale up and grow successfully. I am delighted it will continue to grow under a new owner.”

“Our approach is to back management teams which create long-term value. I was on the board at its inception and have always taken a close personal interest in the business. We will now be looking for new investment opportunities in healthcare and other speciality services", he added.

From the first site opened with CCAG’s backing at a disused hospital in Woking, Surrey, in 2003, Alpha Hospitals expanded into Bury and Sheffield and had a turnover of £42.1m for the year ended March, 2014. With rising investor interest, the responsibility of advising on strategic options was handed over to KPMG which ran the sale process.

CCAG runs successful business operations in healthcare, hospitality, real estate, aviation, utilities, and agriculture. It recently brokered a deal for a new cancer hospital in London for £150m for the Abu Dhabi-based VPS Healthcare Group.The private facility would be the first in the UK to offer proton beam

Headquartered in London, C&C Alpha Group is an international private equity firm, with offices in India as well. Established as a holding company for private venture capitalists with more than 30 years of industry captivity, it brings together entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, project managers, and financial analysts to create stakeholder value by organic growth and strategic partnerships.

Atlantic Coast Riding High in Florida

Florida is becoming a happy hunting ground for bank merger activities. The Sunshine State, with over 22 deals worth $643 million for $5.5 billion of assets and $4.4 billion in deposits since 2014, is indeed red hot and is likely to stay that way, suggest reports.

Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation (ACFC) is one of the players to watch out here and should be a calling card for out-of-state banks planning their way into Florida. After a grind through the credit crisis, ACFC’s resurgence has been phenomenal as its non-performing assets are down from 5% to 1.16%, breaking away the mould from being “a troubled institution” to a “conducive foundation”.

Hailing the turnround, CEO John Stephans said, “Our team has worked hard to achieve a strong turnaround at Atlantic Coast and, with five consecutive quarters of profitability following our successful capital raise in December 2013, we believe the results are readily apparent and momentum is building.”
The company has just delivered its sixth consecutive quarterly report with reported earnings per share of 36 cents and there’s no reason this momentum would slow down, experts believe.

Stephans further said “We are pleased to report another solid quarterly performance for Atlantic Coast, marked by attractive loan growth and sound credit quality, notable interest income growth, and continued improvement in our interest margin. Together, these factors contributed to ongoing profitability for our company and its shareholders. Atlantic Coast is now stronger than ever as a result of the hard work and dedication of our team members as we have pursued our ambitious goals, and I am particularly proud of our team has accomplished over the past six months.”

With several bank stock activists and specialists on its shareholders list, building shareholder value may be added pressure, but at 88% of a growing book value, Atlantic Coast is a fantastic stock for navigating and building on the flourishing Florida banking market.

About Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is the holding company for Atlantic Coast Bank, a community-oriented financial institution serving north-eastern Florida and south-eastern Georgia markets through 11 branches.

Set up in 1939 as a credit union to serve the employees of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, the bank got its charter changed from a federal credit union to a federal mutual savings bank in 2000 and focuses on attracting retail and commercial deposits and investing those funds in traditional loan opportunities.

The top leadership of the bank includes Mr. Bhanu Choudhrie, Executive Director C&C Alpha Group and director to Customers Bancorp in Southeast Pennsylvania and Quatro Management in New York.

Lasting Relationships Pay Off, Says Sam Sidhu of Megalith Capital Management

Realty can be a tough profession to excel in if market analysis is not your thing. At Bisnow’s third annual ‘Residence of the Future’ event held recently, key realty personalities, including Sam Sidhu of Megalith Capital Management, shared what works and what doesn’t to get your realty bearings just right.

1.    Bull Markets Won’t Last Forever: “You have to assume the market’s as good as it’s going to get,” says HFZ Capital founder Ziel Feldman. His advice to young developers—no matter how juicy the market is looking, do not have price appreciation dictate your scheme of things.  While Manhattan realty is holding strong at the moment, Ziel feels some developers have gone overboard with their pricing projections for nearby neighbourhoods. 

2.    Be in step with technology: Development is a long game that can be easily outpaced by technology, says Gale International VP Stan Gale Jr.  There’s no point of a project rendered obsolete in the face of technological advances. Think of tech-driven amenities in a more ‘plug-and-play’ manner, like an iPhone that downloads apps as soon as they are rolled out. Contemporary markets are technology-driven, so should be your projects, says Gale.

3.     Don’t Shy off From Public Infrastructure Investments: Aging infrastructure bears down on reliability of services to new buildings, says AFK Group partner Mark Richter, who believes investing in public infrastructure and transit systems is the way forward to smart development. Greenland’s Pacific Park in Brooklyn, for example,  will have an eight-acre park with 24/7 public access and will reconnect the cut-off parts of the borough.

4.     Lasting Relationships over Short-Term Results: Recalling his early days, Slate Property Group principal David Schwartz says he had to offer several lunches to his lenders on his first development project to get them come down Brooklyn and those meetings laid the foundation of long, lasting relationships that have helped him get subsequent projects done.

Long-term relationships far outweigh short-term benefits and that’s where the focus should be on, concurs Sam Sidhu, CEO, Megalith Capital Management. “People tend to be very short-sighted on trying to get the best deal,” he says, as they look for cheap debt or raise equity. “That’s not always the right move to build a long-term sustainable platform”, he says. 

Founded in 2009 by Samveer Sidhu in collaboration with Bhanu Choudhrie, Executive Director, C&C Alpha Group, Megalith Capital Management is redefining investments in NYC with its integrated platform that specializes in the acquisition, repositioning, development and management of residential, commercial and mixed-use properties in the area. 

Hyatt,the 12th best company to work for in India

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts was recently conferred with the title of the 12th best company to work for at a ceremony in Mumbaiorganised by Great Place to Work (India).

Out of 708 participants listed, a total of 100 companies made it to 'India's Best Companies to Work for in 2015' list. Hyatt has been included in this prestigious list on the basis of a cultural audit as well as a survey conducted by Great Place to Work. The survey assesses the initiatives undertaken by the company on a daily basis to build trust as well as the respect of its people.

With a tradition of innovation developed over its more than fifty-year history, Hyatt operates with a mission of “providing authentic hospitality by making a difference in the lives of the people every day”. They adhere to a set of core values that further characterises the “Hyatt” culture.Hyatt Hotels and resorts manages, franchise, owns and develops Hyatt branded hotels, resorts and residential and vacation ownership properties around the world. The company's worldwide portfolio consists of a whopping 587 properties.

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts is recognized the world over, as a leader in promoting a nurturing as well as a positive and diverse working environment. The company has received some of the most prestigious workplace distinctions in recent years, including being listed among:

•    The top 10 companies to work for in Asia by Great Place to Work® in 2015.

•    The top 10 companies to work for in the UAE by Great Place to Work® UAE in

•    The top 50 companies to work for in India by Great Place to Work® in 2014.

Also, The Human Rights Campaign named Hyatt as a "Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality" for the tenth consecutive year in 2014.

Hyatt has also been featured in the prestigious list of awardees of Gallup Great Workplace Award recognizing them for their extraordinary ability to create an engaged workplace culture.

About Great place to work:

Head-quartered in San Francisco, is a global research, consulting and training firm that helps organizations identify, create and sustain great workplaces through the development of high-trust workplace cultures.

About C&C Alpha Group:

Private investment firm C&C Alpha Group is a London based equity enterprise with entrepreneurs Mr. Bhanu Choudhrie and Dhairya Choudhrie among the board of directors. The Group’s hospitality subsidiary, Shanti Hospitality has investments worldwide, including Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.