The volume and dollar value of public listings went on a tear last year as private companies took advantage of a bullish stock market to raise cash at attractive valuations. Activity in January indicates that this momentum has carried over into the new year with three methods of going public -- special purpose acquisition companies, direct listings and ... READ MORE >
Financial Services
Comprising everything from private equity firms to family offices, financiers are active participants in the middle market. They provide the vital capital infusions needed to take growth companies to the next level.
Comptroller of the Currency puts the fair access rule on hold
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has put a hold on its recently issued fair access rule, the agency announced. The rule, which would have barred banks from denying loans to businesses on political or ideological grounds, passed two weeks ago under acting Comptroller Brian Brooks, but was widely criticized across the banking ... READ MORE >
How regulatory oversight may change at five agencies under Biden
With President Biden’s cabinet taking shape, regulated entities in the financial services industry like banks, specialty lenders and capital markets firms are starting to get a better picture of what changes might be in store. For these firms, the question is no longer if regulations will change, but how much they will change. With control in the ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Institutional investors warm to digital assets
Bloomberg’s Galaxy Crypto Index, which includes Bitcoin, Ethereum and three other digital assets, has rallied from a 52-week low of 177 last March to a high of 1,650 in January — its highest point since January 2018. The index measures the performance of the largest cryptocurrencies traded in U.S. dollars. Cryptocurrencies, and their underlying blockchain ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: The SPAC boom accelerates
Activity among special purpose acquisition companies has continued so far this year at its breakneck pace of 2020. With January more than half over, announced listings for SPACs have already surpassed the combined total for the first five months of last year. At this pace, January will match or possibly exceed the record-setting month of last September, ... READ MORE >
5 trends from defense technology companies’ Q3 earnings calls
Defense technology businesses spent Q3 2020 shoring up their supply chains in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses simultaneously navigated the start of pandemic recovery, shifting election expectations and a continuing resolution. Top executives in the defense technology space highlighted opportunities, headwinds, and strategic ... READ MORE >
5 trends from government services companies’ Q3 earnings calls
Government services businesses have weathered the COVID-19 storm better than many other industry verticals but have still grappled with their own uncertainties. These businesses navigated the start of pandemic recovery, shifting election expectations and a continuing resolution in the third quarter of 2020. Top executives in the government services space ... READ MORE >
With added benefits, lenders stand ready to roll out more fiscal aid
Congress’ approval of another round of fiscal aid is providing a ray of hope for borrowers and customers of financial institutions as they look to move on from a difficult year. The legislation provides needed relief for the small businesses most affected by the downturn and customers of financial institutions. It also offers a host of benefits beyond the ... READ MORE >
Private equity firms pledge their support for Diversity in Action initiative
As investors demand greater accountability on diversity and inclusion efforts in the asset management industry, private equity firms are under pressure to change. Women in the alternative assets sector, for example, held only 11.9% of senior roles, according to a Preqin study released in February. Now, a recent initiative seeks to address that ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Diverging trend in consumer loan delinquencies and unemployment
Consumer loan delinquencies and unemployment rates have historically followed similar paths – either both increasing during times of stress, or both declining in periods of prosperity. But the pandemic has upended that coupling, as consumer loan delinquencies have trended down while unemployment has increased significantly. During the Great Recession ... READ MORE >