Politics, Legal & Regulation

June 2, 2015 @ 11:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

There has been much debate, discussion and recent consternation regarding Title IV of the JOBS Act, something commonly labeled as Reg A+.  Some prognosticators believe it is much ado about nothing but others believe Reg A+ can become an important step in the evolving capital… Read More

June 2, 2015 @ 10:24 am By JD Alois  |  

In an interesting speech delivered at the Exchequer Club in Washington, DC, last month, SEC Commissioner Piwowar criticized federal regulators push to expand oversight into areas overlapping with the responsibility of the SEC.  Piwowar slammed the infringement; “Make no mistake — it is the Commission, not the… Read More

May 31, 2015 @ 6:08 pm By JD Alois  |  

According to SFGate over 650 bills hit the Senate Appropriations Committee this past Thursday: “On Thursday the Senate and Assembly weeded through more than 650 bills at an auctioneer-like pace in appropriations committees.” As part of this legislative finesse, the state of California has tossed… Read More

May 30, 2015 @ 5:27 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is proceeding with a study on competition in investment and corporate banking. The FCA states that these markets are the “cornerstone of the UK economy” for business expansion and funding operations. The study will focus on choice, transparency, bundling and cross-subsidisation in… Read More

May 30, 2015 @ 5:20 pm By JD Alois  |  

How time flies. The SEC is mandated by law to convene a forum on Small Business Capital Formation once a year. The practice has become an annual event that combines both hope and frustration.  The SEC is not required to act on any of the… Read More

May 29, 2015 @ 10:58 am By JD Alois  |  

The Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies (ACSEC) has scheduled its next gathering to be held at the SEC offices on June 3rd.  The announced agenda lists topics including; public company disclosure effectiveness, intrastate crowdfunding, venture exchanges, and treatment of “finders.” SEC Chair Mary Jo… Read More

May 28, 2015 @ 12:10 pm By JD Alois  |  

Creating an exchange or market where smaller, entrepreneurial firms (SME’s) may efficiently and effectively see their shares trade in a public and transparent fashion is a good thing.  Giving people the opportunity to sell shares in a small company is a method of exit for… Read More

May 27, 2015 @ 9:14 am By JD Alois  |  

CFIRA and CfPA Issue Joint Statement Regarding Lawsuit Against the SEC to Block Implementation of Regulation A+, Title IV of the JOBS Act In a joint statement released today by the leadership of crowdfunding industry associations Crowdfunding Intermediary Regulatory Advocates (CFIRA) and the Crowdfunding Professional… Read More

May 26, 2015 @ 8:15 am By Samuel Guzik  |  

On the eve of the 2015 Memorial Day weekend, Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin set the stage for what I expect will be the final chapter in the continuing saga of what has popularly been referred to as Regulation A+,  a newly created avenue… Read More

May 25, 2015 @ 10:37 pm By Midori Yoshimura  |  

2015 may be the year of the great British cherry, according to the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but the trade body overseeing the UK peer-to-peer lending industry is getting ready to introduce a rule against allowing institutions to “cherry-pick” the most desirable loans at the expense… Read More

May 25, 2015 @ 11:08 am By Pawee Jenweeranon  |  

The Importance of Equity Crowdfunding in Thailand On 16 May 2015, the notification of the Capital Market Supervisory Board such as the notification no.: TorChor. 7/2558 regarding regulations on offer for sale of securities through electronic system or network TorChor. 8/2558 regarding rules, conditions and… Read More

May 22, 2015 @ 6:53 pm By Anthony Zeoli  |  

I am absolutely thrilled to be able to say that, after over a year of lobbying, this week the Illinois Intrastate Crowdfunding Bill (HB 3429) was approved. In fact, in a rare display of true bipartisan action (especially for Illinois), the bill was approved unanimously… Read More

May 21, 2015 @ 10:46 am By Erin Hobey  |  

The European Crowdfunding network (ECN) released a Joint Declaration on the Capital Markets Union, together with seven other significative European federations representing capital market players and SMEs including AFME, EBF, Eurochambres, EBAN, EBN, European Issuers and Business Angels Europe and the European Crowdfunding Network. “Joining forces for the first time with other organizations representing capital market players… Read More

May 21, 2015 @ 9:23 am By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Services Users Group (FSUG) has launched a survey to measure perspectives on crowdfunding across the European Union. The FSUG is a “consultative group” for the Commission and is targeting investor opinion regarding both debt and equity crowdfunding platforms. The notice of the survey… Read More

May 17, 2015 @ 10:19 pm By Barry James  |  

Is this a defining moment? For many I suspect it will be – although to judge by the comments, some of them who clearly think that the trust that the banks squandered long ago is still in place, other who clearly see the old order… Read More

May 15, 2015 @ 2:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Committee on Small Business held a hearing this past week to discuss peer to peer lending.  With the influx of institutional funds into P2P lending platforms, many direct lenders are taking up the banner of “Marketplace Lending”.  This does not mean small investors… Read More

May 15, 2015 @ 2:45 am By Midori Yoshimura  |  

  Provincial securities regulators in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia announced Thursday that they will permit startup and early-stage companies to issue shares to investors through crowdfunding websites, according to the Globe and Mail. However, Ottawa stated that it will not take… Read More

May 14, 2015 @ 11:21 am By JD Alois  |  

One of the most vocal advocates for small business and rational rule making is leaving the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Daniel Gallagher, an SEC Commissioner for the past four years, has reportedly told multiple people he is ready to move on after a vocal tenure… Read More

May 14, 2015 @ 2:28 am By Midori Yoshimura  |  

In a Wednesday hearing titled “Bridging the Small Business Capital Gap: Peer-to-Peer Lending,” Funding Circle‘s co-founder and managing director Sam Hodges presented to the House Committee on Small Business​. According to the committee’s website, “The purpose of the hearing was to examine the rise of peer-to-peer lending platforms… Read More

May 13, 2015 @ 8:48 am By JD Alois  |  

The House Subcommittee on Capital Markets & Government Sponsored Enterprises, part of the Financial Services Committee, will meet today (Wednesday, May13th) to discuss multiple proposals designed to improve access to capital for SMEs.  Smaller businesses generate the bulk of economic growth, and correspondingly job creation,… Read More