Northwestern Mutual today celebrated more than 130 of its advisors – a company record – who earned a ranking on Forbes' Top Wealth Advisors "Best-In-State" list. "In this time of bank sector volatility, inflation and potential recession, Americans are turning to our advisors to achieve financial security with wealth management and planning insights that are built just for them," said Aditi Javeri Gokhale, Northwestern Mutual's chief strategy officer, president of retail investments and head of institutional investments. "Our wealth management business is one of the fastest growing in the industry – thanks to the efforts of our trusted advisors and their teams. Their results on behalf of clients are exceptional and a testament to our unrivaled holistic approach – helping people protect the wealth they've built while creating generational prosperity."

Forbes receives more than 30,000 advisor applicants annually, and only a small percentage are named among the best wealth advisors in their state. Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors are nominated by their firms and undergo a series of comprehensive interviews, questionnaires and vetting by SHOOK Research. SHOOK considers a variety of qualitative and quantitative metrics when evaluating nominees, including industry experience, compliance records, revenue produced and assets under management.

"Right now, more Americans than ever are open to speaking with an advisor, and these honorees are stepping up to serve this need by providing trusted advice that helps people plan and act with confidence," said Tim Gerend, Northwestern Mutual's chief distribution officer. "Our advisors' expertise, empathy and personalized financial planning is helping millions pave a path to greater financial security and less anxiety."

These Northwestern Mutual advisors – and thousands more nationwide – not only deliver outstanding service to their clients, but were also the driving force for the company's outstanding 2022 business results. In February, Northwestern Mutual announced a record number of total clients (more than five million), full-time financial professionals (nearly 8,000), revenue ($35 billion), surplus ($37 billion) and permanent life insurance sales. Additionally, in 2022 Northwestern Mutual Investment Services was ranked the sixth largest independent broker-dealer by total revenue by InvestmentNews and the seventh largest by Financial Advisor.

Northwestern Mutual is a leading provider of wealth management and investment solutions – with a growing number of clients turning to the company's financial advisors to help them protect and grow their wealth. The company's broad range of investment options, combined with its industry-leading risk protection solutions, gives clients the ability to achieve better long-term financial outcomes.

Forbes recognizes the top wealth advisors in America based on a set of qualitative and quantitative criteria, including in-person interviews, best practices, service and investing models, compliance records, revenue trends and assets under management. All advisors have a minimum of seven years' experience. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor their research partner – SHOOK – receive a fee in exchange for rankings. Rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success.

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than $558 billion of total assets being managed across the company's institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, nearly $35 billion in revenues, and $2.2 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 97 on the 2022 FORTUNE 500.

Direct Communication Solutions, Inc, a leading provider of information technology solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) market, today announced that it expects to uplist to the NYSE American and its common stock will trade on the NYSE American under the ticker "DCSX" on or around February 15, 2023, subject to pricing and the following conditions. The uplisting is subject to meeting all NYSE American LLC (the "NYSE American") requirements at the time of listing and the Securities and Exchange Commission declaring effective DCS' registration statement on Form S-1 for its previously announced underwritten public offering (the "Offering"). A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.

DCS has applied to the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") to make effective the reverse split/consolidation of shares of its common stock on seven (7) old common shares for one (1) new common share (7:1 share consolidation) after the market close on Thursday, February 9, 2023.

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Direct Communication Solutions, Inc.

DCSI is a technology solutions integrator focusing on connecting the Internet of Things. We provide real solutions that solve real problems. Our software applications and scalable cloud services collect and assess business-critical data from all types of assets. DCSI is headquartered in San Diego, California and is publicly traded on the OTCQX ("DCSX"), Canadian Securities Exchange ("DCSI") and Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("7QU"). For more information, visit www.dcsbusiness.com. DCSI and the DCSI logo are among the trademarks of DCSI in the United States. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

While analysts predict we may be past the inflation peak, Americans struggle to make ends meet and are relying more and more on credit. A recent survey showed that less than 50% of Americans could afford to pay for a last-minute $1000 emergency. Inflation is hitting Americans hard, and many don’t have the financial stability and luxury to secure rainy-day funds.

For the lower-income families that cannot afford a $1,000 emergency, the rising prices of everyday necessities are acting as a further blow to their finances. Fuel prices have soared and the cost of common goods like eggs has risen by up to 60%. Electricity bills have also risen dramatically. In the past year, electricity prices have increased by 15.8%.

Simply put, the cost of living is going up and there isn’t any real promise of a change in trend. As a result, Americans are leaning more heavily on credit cards to ensure they can pay their bills. Credit card balances rose by 15% in the third quarter of 2022, the largest year-over-year increase in over 20 years. According to a new report by Bankrate, 46% of credit cardholders carry debt month to month; last year that percentage was only 39%.

To make matters worse, the average credit card rate is at an all-time high, meaning that individuals are paying far more in interest and possibly ending up in further debt.

The economic situation in Europe is reportedly just as bad, if not worse. The US is unlikely to get a boost from the global economy in the coming months. Amid such times, quick and easy access to credit can be crucial to provide some relief to the American consumer.

Current Looks To Do Its Bit To Help Through Easier Liquidity Access

A financial technology company that offers mobile banking, Current is a new type of banking alternative offering a lot of features that might be ideal for individuals who are struggling to pay the bills.

Two of the main features that have mass appeal during a period of higher inflation are faster direct deposits and better overdraft protection. Through Current, members can get direct deposits up to two days earlier.1 The mobile banking app also lets you overdraft up to $200, pending approval, with no overdraft fees. There are no minimum balance fees either.2

The app also allows for buying and selling crypto, with the cash from your crypto sales that is immediately then available to spend from your Current account. For individuals who aren’t looking to invest in a volatile market, Current offers savings pods with up to 4.00% APY.3 The company is interested in helping improve financial outcomes for everyone while making banking simple and faster.

America has a long-standing love affair with the English language, thanks in part to its ever-growing, diverse population. As such, it’s not surprising that English dictionaries are some of the most popular reference tools in the United States. Whether you're studying for a test, writing an essay, or just looking to expand your vocabulary, there's an English dictionary out there that can help you.

The world's love of dictionaries has existed since the earliest days of humankind. From Ancient Egypt to the modern day, dictionaries have been used to give us a better understanding of the world around us and to help us communicate more effectively.

Dictionaries are one of the most beloved and indispensable resources. As a tool, they have helped us understand and appreciate the nuances of language and to expand our knowledge. Various dictionaries are available in many different languages, and they are all equally important. When it comes to the world's most beloved dictionaries, there are some that stand out for their historical significance, accuracy, or popularity. Here are some of the world's most beloved dictionaries.

The Oxford English Dictionary is the gold standard for English language dictionaries. It is the most comprehensive dictionary available, covering all aspects of the English language from its earliest uses to its most modern applications. The dictionary has been in continuous use since 1884 and is constantly being updated and revised.

Since English is a language that is constantly evolving, it is important to keep up with the times. To help us do this, there are a number of dictionaries that are widely used; some of these are particularly popular in the United States. So, what are the most popular English dictionaries in America? Here the commonly used English dictionaries in the United States:

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED): The Oxford English Dictionary is probably the most widely used and popular English dictionary worldwide. It is the oldest and most comprehensive dictionary of the English language, containing over 600,000 words and phrases. The OED is a great choice for those who want an authoritative source for their English language research. The Oxford English Dictionary includes many useful etymologies, biographical and geographical entries, and usage notes. The OED is available in print or online.

The American Heritage Dictionary: The American Heritage Dictionary is a popular English dialect dictionary- it is published by the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publishing company. The Heritage dictionary includes more than 75,000 entries and definitions, as well as etymologies, biographical and geographical entries, synonyms and antonyms, and usage notes. The 5th edition of the dictionary includes an audio CD with over 6,000 pronunciations. The dictionary is among the most comprehensive and authoritative sources of English words and phrases. It has been widely used since 1969. It is considered one of the best dictionaries for those looking for a comprehensive guide to the English language.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary is another popular, widely used English dictionary in the United States. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary is well known for its easy-to-understand definitions, as well as extensive vocabulary. It is known for its large selection of dictionaries and thesauri, which makes it a great resource for language learners and researchers. The comprehensive reference tool provides definitions of more than 225,000 words; the dictionary has more than 10,000 entries added in the last decade. It includes biographical and geographical entries, as well as information about usage and grammar. It’s a great resource for students, researchers, and writers alike.

Next is Webster's New World Dictionary: Webster's New World Dictionary is another favourite among English dictionary users in the United States. Published by Wiley, this dictionary includes more than 80,000 definitions, as well as pronunciation guides, usage notes, a thesaurus, and a guide to grammar and usage. It's an excellent resource for students and writers. Webster's New World Dictionary is a great choice for those looking for an easy-to-use dictionary. The dictionary is designed to be used by the average person. It contains definitions for a wide variety of words and phrases. It has a user-friendly design and can be used by people of all ages.

Next is the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. This is another popular English dictionary- it is widely used in the United States. The dictionary is well known for its comprehensive coverage of English and its ability to provide users with up-to-date information on English words and phrases.

So, there you have it – America’s most popular English dictionaries. These are merely a few of the popular English dictionaries used in the United States. Each has its unique features and benefits, which make them great choices for anyone who needs an authoritative source of English words and phrases. Whether you’re a student, a writer, or someone looking to expand your vocabulary, there's an English dictionary out there to help you. Get your favourite dictionary today and start learning; yes, consider getting one of these popular dictionaries in the US.