The bank says it wants to support the next generation of innovators and leaders

Atom Bank says it has given more than £13,000 to help young people from low income homes, in the care system or with caring responsibilities go to top universities.

The Newcastle-based digital bank runs the Atom Futures Fund in partnership with County Durham charity Point North. It encourages and supports sixth form students to apply to Russell Group universities and is comprises a £250 financial incentive to eligible Year 13 students and a further £1,000 to those who receive and accept an offer from their chosen university.

Having supported 13 candidates with the initial grant, eight young people have now each received the further £1,000 sum. From this year, Atom says it intends to broaden the remit of the Futures Fund and to provide up to 20 initial and further grants – with applications due to open shortly.

Atom has also pointed to its work on next cohort of the AMI Durham University Women in Tech scholars scheme. The two female recipients of the scholarship – who come from low income backgrounds – receive a grant of £4,000 per year for all three years of the course, which could be a Computer Science or joint-honours programme with Computer Science at Durham University.

And through the EY Foundation Smart Futures, Atom offers a two week internship to year 12 students from low income backgrounds who are looking for experience prior to making their post-18 choices. Atom has agreed to expand the fully funded places – which include a stipend for the duration of the course – from six to eight.

Asli Ozgur, a successful AMI scholar recipient, said : “The AMI scholarship has enabled me to concentrate fully on my academic goals and make the most of my university experience. Atom bank’s support has made a meaningful difference to my journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity. I’m excited to continue developing my skills and hope to inspire other students to believe in their potential and strive for success in their chosen fields.”

Edward Twiddy, ESG director at Atom bank, said: “Our investment in the Atom Futures Fund and our other programmes is a direct commitment to supporting the next generation of innovators and leaders. We are proud to back early career talent across the North East, ensuring a strong future pipeline of skills for Atom and a deepening talent pool across the region.

“The latest recipients of the Women in Tech Scholarships are already firmly embedded into their courses and all that Durham University has to offer. We’re delighted to be in a position to increase funding for the Smart Futures programme right now, and we hope to extend the Atom Futures Fund even further.

“Atom’s commitment to the Durham Maths School is the fourth pillar of our Social Investment Strategy, and this recently received a huge boost with confirmation from the Department for Education that establishment of the school remains a priority for central government. With a new industrial revolution coming fast to all sectors of the economy, we need as many companies as possible to be supporting the next generation to make full use of their talents.

“Only then will firms like ours and the North East continue to be a focus for the investment and productivity gains that we need to support all our futures.”

Site neighbours land where another developer is planning 120 homes

Plans have been submitted for up to 85 homes in the open countryside at Congleton on fields next to land where 120 dwellings are also proposed.

Nightingale Land has applied for outline permission to bulldoze existing farm outbuildings on the site south of Sandbach Road and build up to 85 homes, including 30 per cent affordable.

It is next to land which is the subject of a separate planning application from Richborough Estates for up to 120 homes.

The Richborough application has not yet been determined by the council.

A planning statement submitted by Lane Town Planning on behalf of the Nightingale Land application, states: “The scheme could accommodate a range of house sizes and types in accordance with the council’s strategic housing market assessment.”

It adds that, as a direct consequence of the pre-application consultation exercises, the proposed development has been reduced from 100 homes to 85 homes.

Access to the new site is proposed from Sandbach Road by way of a priority junction.

The document says the scheme would include significant areas of public open space and the retention and enhancement of natural habitat around the existing hedgerow areas as well as orchard tree planting.

It would also include an equipped children’s play area, trim trails and play features along walking routes within green corridors.

Existing public rights of way crossing the site would also be retained and there would be new walking paths around the site.

The planning document states: “Market dwellings will be delivered by private house builders, with affordable housing either provided by, or in partnership with, a registered provider.

“Following a grant of consent, the site would be marketed immediately and sold as expeditiously as possible to one or more house builders who would submit the requisite reserved matters application(s).”

It adds it is anticipated the development of the site would take around 3.3 years to complete.

At the time of writing there has been one objection posted on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council’s website.

The objector says: “This proposal follows a recent application for 120 houses in the same vicinity, which would result in a cumulative total of approximately 200 new dwellings.

“If approved, this would have severe adverse impacts on local traffic, biodiversity, green infrastructure, and the character of the area.”

The application, number 26/0303/OUT, can be viewed on the planning portal on the council’s website.

The last date for submitting comments is March 12.

Coupang Inc.’s shares traded near $18.59 on February 24, 2026, down modestly amid investor caution over potential regulatory scrutiny in Korea and the United States, as well as costs from its Taiwan expansion, with the e-commerce giant set to report fourth-quarter 2025 results on February 26.

As of February 24, 2026, Coupang (NYSE: CPNG) closed at $18.59, up 0.05% on the day after fluctuating in a range of $17.66 to $18.74 with volume of approximately 26.1 million shares. The stock has declined about 5-6% over the past week and remains well below 2025 highs near $34, reflecting a year-to-date pullback in 2026. Market capitalization hovers around $33-34 billion.

The recent pressure stems from broader concerns in the Korean internet sector and U.S. political dynamics. On February 24, shares slipped as investors weighed whether Coupang could become a bargaining chip in potential trade talks, following interim CEO Harold Rogers’ closed-door deposition before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on February 23. Regulatory investigations tied to a November 2025 data breach have also weighed on sentiment, contributing to share weakness.

Coupang is scheduled to release Q4 2025 earnings after market close on February 26, with a conference call at 5:30 p.m. ET. The Zacks consensus estimates revenue of $9.14 billion—up 14.78% year-over-year—while projecting EPS of $0.02, down 50% from the year-ago quarter. The earnings mark has declined slightly in recent weeks, signaling caution around profitability pressures from international growth and the data breach fallout.

The company has expanded aggressively into Taiwan, with costs contributing to margin compression in recent periods. Analysts note that while revenue growth remains solid—driven by core South Korean operations, Rocket Delivery, and e-commerce momentum—profitability faces headwinds from these investments. Q3 2025 results showed EPS of $0.05 on $9.3 billion in revenue, beating expectations, but Q4 guidance and commentary will be key to assessing the Taiwan trajectory.

On the analyst front, views are mixed. UBS lowered its price target to $25 from $35 on February 19, 2026, while maintaining a Buy rating, citing regulatory scrutiny as a drag. Bernstein initiated coverage on February 5 with an Underperform rating and $17 target, reflecting caution in the Korean internet space. Consensus among 11 analysts leans Hold to Moderate Buy, with average 12-month price targets around $27.70—implying about 49% upside from current levels. High targets reach $40, low ends around $17.

Coupang’s core business benefits from strong market position in South Korea, with high customer loyalty through fast delivery and membership perks. The company continues investing in logistics, private-label products, and international markets to diversify beyond domestic reliance. Recent small-business initiatives, such as helping Pennsylvania companies expand globally via Coupang, highlight efforts to strengthen ecosystem ties.

Risks include competitive intensity from local and global players, potential trade policy impacts, and execution on profitability amid expansion costs. The data breach investigations add uncertainty, though management has emphasized containment and customer protection.

The February 26 earnings release will provide critical updates on revenue trends, margin progress, Taiwan performance, and 2026 guidance. Positive surprises on subscriber growth or cost controls could spark a rebound; signs of prolonged pressure might extend downside.

Coupang remains a key player in Asian e-commerce, with its logistics network and customer-centric model offering long-term potential. As the company navigates regulatory and expansion challenges, investor focus will center on proving sustainable profitability in 2026.

Backers aim to create ‘high-quality’ hub for ‘local grassroots sport’

More than 200 homes and a raft of new and upgraded sports facilities could be created on the outskirts of Preston as part of a major residential and leisure development.

The proposed Longridge Sports Village scheme would provide a “high-quality” hub for “local grassroots sport”, according to the organisations behind it.

Provision for football, gymnastics, padel and informal runs would sit alongside up to 220 new dwellings, all which would fall into the discounted ‘affordable homes’ category. More than 40 of the proposed properties are flats designed specifically for older people.

A 12-hectare site to the north west of the town has been earmarked for the project, adjacent to Longridge Town Football Club and Longridge Cricket Club.

Plans for the site – bounded by Inglewhite Road and Chipping Lane – first emerged last year when a public consultation was carried out into an initial blueprint.

Now, Longridge-based Steel Work Construction and Preston social housing provider Community Gateway Association have submitted an outline proposal to Preston City Council, seeking planning permission for the project – which they say will plug “a recognised deficit in local sports provision”.

Their joint application sets out the specifics of the sporting plans, which include the creation of a seven-a-side 3G football pitch to serve the needs of Longridge Town’s junior club and the 300 players that make up its 20 teams. The facility would, it is claimed, put an end to the weather-related cancellations that beset the junior fixtures during winter – and would also be used by the senior team for training.

The existing grass pitch for the first team would be retained, with the clubhouse extended and improvements made for spectators.

Elsewhere, four covered padel courts are planned – for which there was “strong local support” expressed in last year’s public consultation, the application states.

Meanwhile a permanent, purpose-built base is proposed for Longridge Gymnastics Club, which is currently forced to operate from rented facilities four miles out of town in Ribbleton.

A 1.5km “recreational running and walking route” also forms part of the plans – a facility that would be “integrated into the site’s network of green spaces for the benefit of the whole community”.

The plot sits in the open countryside, making it a location that would not usually be deemed suitable for significant development. However, the planning statement accompanying the sports village proposal stresses that it is not a “remote, isolated landscape”.

It adds that the surrounding area has become “an established focus for the town’s recent residential growth”, with planning permissions granted for new housing along Halfpenny Lane, Inglewhite Road, and Chipping Lane – making the sports village site “a logical and sustainable extension of the built-up area, rather than an intrusion into undeveloped countryside”.

Meanwhile, an odour assessment undertaken on behalf of the applicants concluded there was only a “slight and not significant” risk of smells from the nearby pig farming operation at Belmont Farm affecting future residents and leisure users.

The proximity of the piggery was highlighted by the city council last year when it considered – and decided against – requiring an environmental impact assessment as part of the planning application for the sports village.

The assessment found that the southernmost parts of the site would be most affected by odours – and so that zone will not be used for residential development.