The December 2014 issue of Bank Watch is available now, which features the article “Second Fairness Opinions” written by Jeff Davis.
The fairness opinion states that a transaction is fair from a financial point of view of the subject company’s shareholders. The opinion does not express a view about where a security may trade in the future; nor does it offer a view as to why a board elected to take a certain action. Valuation is at the heart of a fairness opinion, though valuation typically is a range concept that may (or may not) encompass the contemplated transaction value.
Fairness opinions are typically issued by investment bankers who arranged a transaction; however, because most of their fee is contingent upon the successful closing of a transaction, the lead banker’s opinion has always had some taint even if the consensus is that a transaction is a good deal. In 2007, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) issued Rule 2290, which requires the issuer of a fairness opinion to disclose such conflicts.
This issue also contains links to various articles of interest, as well as public market indicators, M&A market indicators, and key indices of the top financial institutions in the U.S., providing insight into financial institution valuation issues.
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