Cantor Fitzgerald to Expand in Canada with Acquisition of Versant Partners Team

TORONTO, Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation, part of the leading global financial services firm, Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P., today announced that it has entered into agreements to hire the sales and trading, research, and investment banking team of Versant Partners Inc., a  prominent Canadian institutionally focused investment dealer, and to acquire certain other assets of the firm.  Subject to final closing conditions, Cantor's capacity to serve growth-oriented companies and investors in the Canadian marketplace will significantly expand.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110721/MM39818LOGO )

Mike Jams will lead Cantor's Canadian Equity Capital Markets team, reporting to Laurence Rose, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation.  Highly ranked technology analyst Tom Liston will join Cantor as Director of Canadian Research, responsible for broadening the scope and depth of research coverage.

Building on Versant's strengths in technology, healthcare and other high-growth industries in which it has been a leading underwriter and advisory services provider, Cantor will expand its capacity to serve Canadian institutional investors.  Canadian companies will gain new access to Cantor's global distribution platform, and its breadth of financial products and expertise, as Cantor focuses on providing solutions across a range of clients' strategic business needs.

"We're bullish on Canada and Canadian companies, and look forward to championing them," said Shawn P. Matthews, Chief Executive Officer 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.  The Versant team underscores Cantor's continuing commitment to providing clients with world-class expertise in key local markets.  These talented professionals will help broaden our capabilities, strengthen our existing customer relationships and enhance our overall offering for clients in Canada."

"We see an opportunity in the Canadian market to gain share by enhancing our service offering to investors and issuers alike," said Mr. 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.  We expect clients to benefit from our global reach and research, combined with our high-touch service model."

"The strength of Cantor's equities sales and trading platform, and the opportunity to complement the firm's offering for clients in Canada, are extremely compelling factors in joining Cantor," said Mr. Jams.  "We look forward to contributing to the expansion of Cantor's network of relationships, building on the firm's momentum, and maximizing the success of our clients."

Subject to final closing conditions, the Versant Partners team will join Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation team in early September 2012.  

About Cantor Fitzgerald  
Cantor Fitzgerald, a leading global financial services firm at the forefront of financial and technological innovation, has been a proven and resilient leader for over 65 years.  Cantor is a pre-eminent capital markets investment bank serving more than 5,000 institutional clients around the world, recognized for its strengths in institutional equity and fixed income sales and trading and for its expanding presence serving the middle market with investment and merchant banking services, prime brokerage and commercial real estate financing.  Cantor Fitzgerald also is a leader in new businesses and marketplaces including gaming technology, e-commerce, insurance and other ventures.

Cantor Fitzgerald's 1,600 employees serve clients through over 30 locations, including major financial centers around the world in the Americas, Europe, Asia/Pacific and the Middle East.  Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. in the U.S. is one of 21 primary dealers authorized to trade U.S. government securities with The Federal Reserve Bank of New York.  For more information, please visit cantorfitzgprd.wpenginepowered.com.

Note to Editors:  Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. is the parent entity of Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

SOURCE Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.