This month we’re pleased to celebrate the 5-year anniversary of the successful launch of OTCQX for Banks. In May 2014, and with ten founding member banks at inception, OTCQX Banks was created to provide U.S. regional and community banks the opportunity to communicate their value proposition through a more cost-effective alternative. OTCQX Banks’ comprise some of the most established institutions, leveraging the OTCQX Market to provide the benefit of the public markets to their investors without the cost and complexity associated with trading on a traditional exchange. Continue reading “May Marks the 5th Anniversary of OTCQX Banks”
Oscar Wilde once wrote that “Everything popular is wrong.” He was describing our natural tendency to find comfort with well-established people and widespread ideas. Regulators, faced with the opportunity to open markets to alternative choices, hear a chorus of respected voices resistant to change. The SEC took until the year 2000 to repeal Rule 390—the rule that gave the New York Stock Exchange a monopoly in trading Blue Chip securities. The principles of open, transparent and connected public markets prevailed.
We raise this as the old idea underlying Rule 390, centralization of trading, is now being pushed as a popular fix for small company liquidity and capital formation. Of course, individual traders are determined to make trades in many different places, which means government intervention would be required to force stock trading back onto the largest stock exchanges[1]. Rent-seeking regulations are often cloaked in the language of “reform” and the public good.
Continue reading “Three Principles for Thriving Public Markets”
Since its inception in 2015, the OTCQX Advisory Council has provided valuable insight and support to the OTC Markets Group senior management team on key issues that impact OTCQX-traded issuers and the public markets. The Council is comprised of a ten-member board, with three members appointed in 2018 and seven new members appointed earlier this year. Collectively, these Council members represent an impressive mix of U.S.-based CEOs and CFOs from a diverse range of geographic and industry sectors. Continue reading “A Snapshot of the OTCQX Advisory Council”
Are you a Small-Cap company trying to ensure your IR program is successful?
Issuers with a market capitalization under $1 bn often lack the liquidity, volume or capital structure to attract larger institutional names. However, in the early years, they also benefit from being able to build strong investor relations strategies and establish trajectories that look five years ahead vs. one or two. Continue reading “The Many Ways to Measure IR Success”
Banking regulation tends to be a partisan issue, but there’s one thing lawmakers are certain to agree on: America’s community banks are the backbone of the country’s economy.
Community banks serve a unique purpose. These institutions make over half of all U.S. small business loans, providing capital to entrepreneurs seeking to start businesses, and the financing needed for local businesses to grow. They provide jobs, help families buy homes and serve as the financial core for communities nationwide. Continue reading “Community Bank Regulations Should Foster Main Street Growth”
OTC Markets is pleased to announce its 5th annual list of the top 50 U.S. and international companies traded on the OTCQX Best Market—the 2019 OTCQX® Best 50. This year’s list speaks to a broad array of companies spanning all sizes, industries and geographic regions, from well-capitalized US community banks to Mega-Cap foreign exchange-listed Global brands. Continue reading “Introducing the 2019 OTCQX® Best 50”
The small-cap equity market, which operates across listed and OTC venues, plays a vital role in the U.S. capital markets and economy. Companies gain access to capital and investors are able to take a stake in venture stage firms. Even though small-cap equities trade both over-the-counter and on the national exchanges, there is a perception that an exchange listing provides an air of legitimacy on a company. However, the truth is that investors and market professionals benefit from added due diligence when assessing and trading all small-cap stocks.
Continue reading “OTC Markets Group Introduces its Small Cap Listed Compliance Product”
We encourage our employees to make an impact by building on their strengths and contributing their individual ideas. They are at the forefront of achieving every goal we set today and are essential to drive the success of tomorrow. As such, we sat down with members of our team who shared their perspectives and provided candid feedback about what makes OTC Markets Group a “Great Place to Work.”
Looking to drive faster company growth? Or, considering new avenues to increase shareholder value? These may be among the reasons you are contemplating a merger or acquisition. As a small-cap company with limited resources, it can be difficult to effectively manage and execute the critical components that surround M&A. Continue reading “Navigating the Critical Components Surrounding M&A”
Cromwell Coulson
Matt Fuchs
Chris Grant
Laura Hamilton
Kristie Harkins
Liz Heese
Jason Paltrowitz
Bob Power
Cass Sanford
Dan Zinn
Guest Contributor
