Politics, Legal & Regulation

February 27, 2015 @ 2:46 am By Midori Yoshimura  |  

North Carolina’s Secretary of State, Elaine Marshall, is requesting state legislators’ approval for fee increases that would help support the results of passing crowdfunding legislation, according to the News & Observer. The increases would generate  $2.68 million in new revenue.   Marshall noted that her department… Read More

February 26, 2015 @ 4:04 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Last month, Crowdfund Insider reported that a drafted crowdfunding legistation for Colorado was presented that will facilitate crowdfunding by authorizing on-line intermediaries to match Colorado investors with a state-based business. Authors of the Colorado Crowdfunding Act, have attempted to improve on some of the glaring deficiencies that… Read More

February 26, 2015 @ 12:47 pm By JD Alois  |  

The European Union published a “green paper” on Building a Capital Markets Union for the broader European community.  The ambitious goals are laudable but the challenge is high. While in the United States, and other countries around the globe, SME’s are the engine of growth…. Read More

February 26, 2015 @ 9:15 am By JD Alois  |  

The Bank of England has released its most recent data on the Funding for Lending program, an initiative that is supposed to compel banks to lend to business.  According to the BOE figures, lending is in decline; “Net lending by FLS Extension participants to all… Read More

February 26, 2015 @ 8:53 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK government has responded to the Law Commission report on the law on groundless threats to bring proceedings for infringement of Intellectual Property rights including patents. The proposed reforms are intended to ensure the “threats provisions” are clearer for businesses. A spokesperson stated this will make… Read More

February 26, 2015 @ 8:01 am By JD Alois  |  

OTC Markets has announced that 500 “verified”  US and international companies have joined the OTCQB Venture Marketplace. The new marketplace was launched in May of 2014 and is designed to improve market transparency for investors interested in early stage, publicly traded, companies.  OTC also announced… Read More

February 25, 2015 @ 11:17 am By JD Alois  |  

The Central Bank of Ireland has been monitoring the evolution of the investment crowdfunding world but they do not seem to be in a hurry to apply any type of regulatory regime.  According to a report in the Independent, there is no time frame on… Read More

February 24, 2015 @ 11:27 am By Samuel Guzik  |  

Is the JOBS Act Title II ecosystem being built around the art of the “con” by some Internet funding platforms and companies raising money on these platforms?  The answer seems to be yes, judging by investment advice provided by Morningstar, FINRA, psychologists, and business world… Read More

February 24, 2015 @ 11:04 am By JD Alois  |  

In a speech delivered by Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, presented at the Saïd Business School, the government representative declared “that Britain has become a business-creating powerhouse”. Noting that it is not the government that creates jobs, it is the people.  All the government… Read More

February 23, 2015 @ 11:30 am By JD Alois  |  

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, noted today the overwhelming importance of small business to the national economy; “Small businesses are the backbone of the British economy, so it’s only right that the government supports viable small businesses, particularly those struggling to access conventional finance.” “To… Read More

February 22, 2015 @ 7:01 pm By Erin Hobey  |  

Newly opened Centre for Alternative Finance of University of Cambridge Judge Business School reports European Alternative Finance Benchmarking Survey study results.  The European market could top €7 billion in 2015 The European alternative finance market grew 144% last year to €2,957m The UK is the largest European country for alternative finance,… Read More

February 22, 2015 @ 4:59 pm By JD Alois  |  

Global equity crowdfunding platform OurCrowd has formed a partnership with the Maryland / Israel Development Center (MIDC) to boost investment in Maryland companies while aiding OurCrowd portfolio companies.  MIDC will now assist OurCrowd companies with their market entry in the US.  OurCrowd founder and CEO… Read More

February 22, 2015 @ 10:47 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission has rescheduled the meeting of the Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies to take place on March 4th at 9:30AM.  The meeting was originally scheduled to take place last week but was cancelled due to the winter weather which… Read More

February 20, 2015 @ 3:12 pm By JD Alois  |  

While SEC Chair presented a state of SEC type presentation, Commissioner Aguilar has jumped in and put some more meat on the bones.  Speaking at the annual Practicing Law Institute gathering, Aguilar set forth his perceived goals for the SEC for 2015. While touching base… Read More

February 20, 2015 @ 12:11 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

In a statement yesterday (Thursday, February 19th), the Ontario Securities Commission shared they expect to release crowdfunding rules this coming summer.  The proposed rules entered a comment period last year and the Commission has been in the process of reviewing the feedback; “The comment period… Read More

February 20, 2015 @ 11:33 am By JD Alois  |  

SEC Chair Mary Jo White addressed the Practicing Law Institute in DC this morning and it appears that most of the big shots at the SEC are sharing their wisdom as well today. Following opening remarks by Andrew Ceresny, the Director of SEC Enforcement and Keith… Read More

February 19, 2015 @ 12:53 pm By Erin Hobey  |  

The Canadian Securities Administrators (the CSA) published an update on the proposal for a comprehensive regulatory framework for publicly offered alternative investment funds, “Alternative Funds Proposal.” The Alternative Funds Proposal is the final phase of the CSA’s ongoing effort to modernize regulation of investment fund… Read More

February 19, 2015 @ 10:00 am By Samuel Guzik  |  

  In July 2013 the SEC implemented Title II of the JOBS Act of 2012 through Rule 506(c) of Regulation D, which for the first time in over 80 years allowed companies to engage in general solicitation of investors in an unregistered private placement so… Read More

February 19, 2015 @ 7:01 am By JD Alois  |  

The Financial Conduct Authority has announced its intent to investigate the elite world of investment and corporate banking due to concerns of lack of competition.  The FCA, unlike its regulatory brethren in many other countries, maintains the responsibility to promote competition “around the benefits for consumers,… Read More

February 18, 2015 @ 10:08 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Interested in innovation, both in the finance industry and in the broader economy, Robert Wardrop began his career at Procter & Gamble before moving on to the Anschutz Investment Company and later to DAM Capital. The seasoned entrepreneur presently serves as a Non Executive Director at… Read More