Mortgage Blog

The Securities and Exchange Commission may expand the general public's access to investment opportunities in private companies, the SEC chairman said.

The Wall Street Journal reported that SEC Chairman Jay Clayton wants to make it easier for individuals to invest in private companies.

Right now, many investors can't access investment opportunities into private companies because of current stringent financial requirements required for investors in private companies.

But Clayton said the SEC wants…

A big shareholder in Tesla Inc. wanted CEO Elon Musk out of his role as chairman.

At the June meeting of Tesla (Nasdaq: TSLA) shareholders, funds managed by BlackRock wanted to separate Musk from his role as chairman. Musk would have remained CEO of the company and an independent chairman would have been named.

But according to Reuters, the move failed, with more than 86 million shares voting against the proposal and less than than 17 million voting in favor of the proposal.

New York-based BlackRock…

Real Goods Solar Inc., the Colorado-based owner of Hawaii solar provider Sunetric, has received yet another warning from the Nasdaq Stock Market that it could be delisted after its stock price closed below the minimum threshold of $1 per share for 30 consecutive business days.

The letter, which Real Goods Solar received on Aug. 7, also laid out a timetable for bringing the company into compliance with Nasdaq's listing rule, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Nasdaq warned…

A key aspect of most emerging growth companies is that they will one day be sold, either to a strategic buyer or a financial buyer. In this PBJ Thought Leadership podcast, Caleb Pilling, senior manager with Geffen Mesher, talks about exit strategies for owners of such high growth businesses. Here are highlights.

Realistic exit strategies for startups: “An exit strategy is kind of dependent on the goals and the needs of the owners. Some businesses may have an exit or a transition strategy that…

Melissa Carlgren, shareholder at Geffen Mesher, reviews opportunity zones, a key aspect of the tax overhaul passed last year, in this Portland Business Journal Thought Leadership podcast. Here are some highlights:

Defining the opportunity zone tax break: “What I’m most excited about is these new opportunity zones. These are tax breaks for investments within these opportunity zones. Taxpayers with gains from the sales of property — stock, real estate, even a partnership interest — could potentially…

Accounting and consulting firm Ernst & Young U.S. LLP is putting down deeper roots in San Antonio as it plans to add 300 more professional workers at its new offices, pending incentive agreements to be voted on by local leaders.

Those employees will work in the firm's government and public sector organization. This is in addition to as many as 600 previously planned jobs for financial and technology workers.

The firm, which does business as EY, already has 200 professionals working downtown in…

High Point-based Heritage Home Group has signed an agreement with two companies to buy its Broyhill and Thomasville & Co. brands, which includes the Drexel and Henredon brands, for $22 million, though competing bids could still be seen.

The announcement comes two days after the company said it would be laying off 712 employees from its Lenoir upholstery and case goods facilities due to delays in securing a bid for the brands. The Lenoir facilities would be included in any purchase of the Broyhill…

Last Will and Testament or Trust

If you wish to retain your business ownership until death, you can simply bequeath your business to your named beneficiary by Will or trust. From an income tax perspective, this is a highly efficient structure, since it permits the individuals who receive the business to inherit it with a basis equal to its fair market value at the time of your death. If your children decide to sell the business, little to no capital gains taxes will be imposed on the sale. However,…

A market crash would inflict greater damage on Boston’s economy than other catastrophes, including a cyberattack and a human pandemic, according to a new assessment from a giant of the global insurance industry.

Boston’s gross domestic product would suffer an immediate $810 million hit in the event of a market crash, said the report, which was compiled by U.K. insurance marketplace Lloyd’s of London and based on research from the University of Cambridge.

That number represents less than…

M&T Bank is focusing on the fans with a new marketing campaign for the upcoming football season as the Baltimore Ravens look to get back to winning.

The Ravens have missed the playoffs the last three seasons, but hopes are high for the team and at M&T Bank as the season gets underway. Augie Chiasera, president of the Greater Baltimore and Chesapeake region for M&T Bank, said people are “energized” and excited about the fall. The bank hopes to capitalize on the excitement with a new ad campaign and…