Global investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. is expanding its presence in Canada under a new deal between its Canadian subsidiary, Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corp., and Versant Partners Inc.
Cantor Fitzgerald Canada announced on Tuesday that it has entered into agreements to hire the sales and trading, research, and investment banking team of Versant Partners, a Canadian institutionally focused investment dealer, and to acquire certain other assets of the firm.
Versant is known in particular for its underwriting and advisory services in technology, healthcare and other high-growth industries. Subject to final closing conditions, the deal will significantly expand Cantor’s capacity to serve companies and investors in the Canadian marketplace. For instance, Canadian companies will gain new access to Cantor’s global distribution platform.
Mike Jams will lead Cantor’s Canadian equity capital markets team, reporting to Laurence Rose, president and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald Canada. Technology analyst Tom Liston will join Cantor as director of Canadian research, responsible for broadening the scope and depth of research coverage.
“We’re bullish on Canada and Canadian companies, and look forward to championing them,” said Shawn Matthews, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. “We are confident in Mike, Tom and the rest of the Versant team’s ability to add value to clients and the firm.”
“We see an opportunity in the Canadian market to gain share by enhancing our service offering to investors and issuers alike,” said Rose. “Mike and his group bring to Cantor a deep understanding of the Canadian market and substantially add to our existing resources and capabilities. This new team will enhance our ability to distribute Canadian financial products globally and provide Canadian institutions with access to global products domestically.”
Subject to final closing conditions, the Versant Partners team will join Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation team in early September 2012.