(This post has been updated from its original version on Feb. 4, 2020, to reflect the SEC's adoption of amendments to the "accredited investor" definition.) Every four years, the Securities and Exchange Commission is required by the 2010 Dodd-Frank law to modify the rules protecting investors. The original protections were put in place in 1982, but with ... READ MORE >
Fintechs helped with the Paycheck Protection Program. Why not the Main Street Lending Program?
What makes a great partnership? There are a number of examples of great partnerships that have worked toward a common goal. In the sports world, think of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen or Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. In business, there is the recent success between Apple and Goldman Sachs in launching the Apple Card. As small and medium-size ... READ MORE >
The Paycheck Protection Program still has legs after Congress approves extension
The $659 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which was scheduled to stop accepting new applications on Tuesday even though it had more than $134 billion left to distribute as of June 27, could now be extended through Aug. 8, after the Senate and the House approved the measure. The program has been a central pillar of the $2.39 trillion CARES Act, ... READ MORE >
Once derided, special purpose acquisition companies go mainstream amid turbulent markets
It wasn’t too long ago that there was an order to the universe when companies wanted to go public, and the traditional initial public offering was at the top of the list. Ranking near the bottom – the province of often-questionable listings – was an investment vehicle called the special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC. Its approach seemed to flip the ... READ MORE >
401(k) plans can now offer investments in private equity, but should they?
It wasn’t too long ago that investing a 401(k) plan seemed simple enough: Choose a mutual fund – stocks, bonds or maybe a target date fund – and keep working until you retire. Private equity funds seemed a world away, the domain of high net-worth investors with the sophistication to understand the risk they were taking on. And indeed, lack of ... READ MORE >
Bill would loosen restrictions in Paycheck Protection Program, making loan forgiveness easier
In a bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act on May 28, loosening some restrictions on borrowers and making it easier to qualify for loan forgiveness. Under the bill, businesses would be given more time to use the loans and greater flexibility to make needed expenditures and still qualify for ... READ MORE >
Main Street Lending Program should be attractive to eligible family offices
(This was originally published May 19 but was updated June 15 when the Federal Reserve announced the immediate launch of the Main Street Lending Program and on June 8 when the Fed announced expanded program terms.) In the last few weeks, family offices in the United States have gone through a number of transformative changes due to the disruptive nature ... READ MORE >
Global M&A nosedives, and what comes next is still in question
Global mergers and acquisitions plunged in April as companies worked through business challenges resulting from the coronavirus. Through April and the first part of May, the total value of announced deals was $207 billion, according to Bloomberg, beginning what is expected to be a year over year decline of more than 50% for the second quarter. M&A has ... READ MORE >
As SBA accepts new applications for Paycheck Protection Program, private equity is not eligible
As the Small Business Administration began accepting applications on Monday for loans under the second round of financing for the Paycheck Protection Program, private equity firms and hedge funds will not be eligible. The SBA released additional guidance for the program on April 24, settling the questions of some private equity and hedge fund managers who ... READ MORE >
How private equity firms might qualify for SBA financing
In early 2012, The Atlantic published an article, “Private Equity Is a Force for Good” that gave a clear-eyed look at the industry and its impact on the economy.. Eight years later, the private equity industry, with billions in capital ready to put to work, is in a position to help the economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic by investing in growing ... READ MORE >