Politics, Legal & Regulation

March 21, 2014 @ 9:45 am By JD Alois  |  

The Nova Scotia Securities Commission, in conjunction with other members of the  Canadian Securities Administrators, published for comment the Integrated Crowdfunding  Prospectus Exemption (the Crowdfunding Exemption) and the Start-Up Crowdfunding  Prospectus Exemption (the Start-Up Exemption). The proposed exemptions would allow both  reporting and non-reporting issuers… Read More

March 21, 2014 @ 8:41 am By JD Alois  |  

Below is the backgrounder published by the Ontario Securities Commission which outlines the proposed exemptions for crowdfunding in Ontario.  There is a comment period that ends on June 18, 2014.     ____________________________ [scribd id=213678602 key=key-1swrg4keo903570hmjzc mode=scroll]

March 21, 2014 @ 8:35 am By JD Alois  |  

B.C. Securities Commission publishes new securities crowdfunding exemption for comment. Members of the Canadian Securities Administrators published a proposed crowdfunding exemption modelled on the Saskatchewan Equity Crowdfunding exemption adopted on December 6, 2013 (the start-up crowdfunding exemption). The British Columbia Securities Commission is requesting comment… Read More

March 21, 2014 @ 8:01 am By JD Alois  |  

In a release issued by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), the regulatory body for the Ontario’s capital markets.  A 90 day public comment period starts for four new exemptions.  These exemptions are intended to facilitate capital raising by businesses at different stages in their development,… Read More

March 21, 2014 @ 6:00 am By JD Alois  |  

In  a Canada wide- coordinated release the Montréal – The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA), Financial and Consumer Service Commission of New Brunswick (FCNB), the Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) and the Nova Scotia Securities Commission (NSSC)… Read More

March 20, 2014 @ 10:26 am By JD Alois  |  

In the keynote address delivered today in London to the Annual Institute on Securities Regulation in Europe, Keith Higgins, Director, Division of Corporate Finance at the SEC, talked JOBS Act and crowdfunding. The speech titled The New World of Capital Formation jumped right into the… Read More

March 20, 2014 @ 10:00 am By JD Alois  |  

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) was announced as becoming permanent yesterday as part of Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s budget presentation.    Introduced in 2012, the tax incentive for people to invest in early stage companies has been viewed as a groundbreaking approach… Read More

March 19, 2014 @ 5:46 pm By JD Alois  |  

Retirement accounts can be a pretty mundane topic.  But creating an environment where people can save for their retirement is incredibly important.  Having endured punitive restrictions in the US, I can appreciate the increase in ISA limits.  The tax free limit for the “New ISA”… Read More

March 16, 2014 @ 2:06 pm By JD Alois  |  

Maine Wants to Promote Growth of Small Businesses by Easing Access to Capital. Maine now becomes the next state that has passed legislation, “An Act to Increase Funding for Startups”,  that allows equity crowdfunding within their state borders.  Maine business may now raise up to… Read More

March 12, 2014 @ 9:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Peer-to-Peer Finance Association (P2PFA) has welcomed the Financial Conduct Authority‘s (FCA)  regulatory approach to crowdfunding over the internet, and the promotion of non-readily realisable securities by other media. In April, peer to peer lending will become fully regulated by the FCA. This is welcomed… Read More

March 12, 2014 @ 9:12 pm By JD Alois  |  

We reported yesterday that a crowdfunding campaign was launched to honor Berkin Elvan who died yesterday.  Berkin had been in a coma for many months after being hit by a tear gas canister launched by Turkish police last year. Well the campaign raised their targeted… Read More

March 12, 2014 @ 5:02 pm By JD Alois  |  

Bi-Partisan Leaders in State of Florida Want to Facilitate New Form of Financing.  Ideal for Fostering Economic Growth.  The Florida Crowd Finance Association (FCFA) held its inaugural meeting March 5 at the law firm of Becker & Poliakoff in Coral Gables in support of a… Read More

March 11, 2014 @ 10:33 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last summer the world was mesmerized as the nation of Turkey rose in dissent against their political class.  What started as a simple protest, grew into a national movement of democracy and a demand for civil rights.  Crowdfunding became part of the movement when some… Read More

March 10, 2014 @ 11:27 am By Samuel S. Guzik, The Crowdfunding Counselor  |  

Title III of the JOBS Act created an exemption from registration for the offer and sale of so-called “crowdfunded” securities under the Securities Act of 1933, allowing the offer and sale of securities to an unlimited number of unaccredited investors without registration with the SEC,… Read More

March 7, 2014 @ 2:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

UK Equity Crowdfunding Site CrowdBnk Welcomes FCA’s Response. Commenting on the response to the consultation on the regulatory approach to crowdfunding published by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) , Ayan Mitra, CEO of CrowdBnk, an equity crowdfunding platform, stated; “We are pleased to see that… Read More

March 7, 2014 @ 10:07 am By JD Alois  |  

While some crowdfunding industry participants have spoken positively about the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulations released yesterday other interested parties have expressed their chagrin. Barry James, founder of The Crowdfunding Centre, said: “On a day like today one has to wonder whether our FCA is the… Read More

March 6, 2014 @ 4:21 pm By Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director & CEO, Michigan Municipal League  |  

Recent research is clear that in order to have a prosperous economy with high per capita income, we must have thriving places that attract talent. To compete economically, our communities should possess the critical assets that draw and entice people. One of those essential assets… Read More

March 6, 2014 @ 3:45 pm By JD Alois  |  

Michigan Municipal League, Representative Nancy Jenkins Push for Local Stock Exchanges. A bill pending in the state House of Michigan to create local stock exchanges to support small businesses would be the first of its kind in not only Michigan, but in the nation.  The… Read More

March 6, 2014 @ 11:52 am By JD Alois  |  

Beginning of New Era for Alternative Financing in UK. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published regulations on crowdfunding to come into force on April 1, 2014.  The FCA   has confirmed new rules for P2P lending platforms due to come into force on 1 April 2014.  Stuart… Read More

March 6, 2014 @ 9:15 am By Charles Luzar  |  

They’re here. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published rules governing equity and lending-based crowdfunding in the UK. They are set to take effect on April 1 with a review scheduled for 2016. Christopher Woolard, director of policy, risk and research at the FCA, said, ”We… Read More