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Computershare Launches Investor Engagement Arm, Hires JPMorgan Veteran for North America

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Computershare announced Friday the launch of a new investor engagement business aimed at helping companies navigate increasingly complex shareholder relations and rising activist pressures.

The new unit will provide insights into who is buying or selling a company’s equity and debt, investor relations support, and strategic governance advice via its Georgeson Advisory arm. It will also integrate services from recent acquisitions CMi2i and ingage.

Key offerings include:

  • Detecting early signs of activist investors building stakes.

  • Aligning corporate strategy with shareholder expectations.

  • Advising management teams during crisis events such as proxy fights or takeover bids.

The global division will be led by Kirsten van Rooijen, while Aaron Bertinetti, a former JPMorgan Chase executive, has been appointed to head operations in North America. Bertinetti previously served as Managing Director of Investor Relations and Head of ESG at JPMorgan, and earlier led global research and corporate advisory at Glass Lewis, specializing in M&A and shareholder activism.

Analysts say demand for such services is surging as investors push boards for stronger performance, governance reforms, and even leadership changes. With its expanded capabilities, Computershare aims to position itself as a critical adviser for companies navigating the high-stakes world of shareholder engagement.

Thoma Bravo Prepares $2B Sale of School Safety Firm Raptor Technologies

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Thoma Bravo, a major private equity player with over 70 software companies in its portfolio, is preparing to sell Raptor Technologies, its Houston-based school safety software provider. According to people familiar with the matter, the deal could value Raptor at more than $2 billion. JPMorgan has been tapped to advise on the process, which is expected to begin later this year.

Raptor Technologies develops software for K-12 schools worldwide, offering tools for crisis prevention, emergency response and recovery, and student movement management. Its systems are currently used in 60,000 schools across 55 countries.

The company reportedly generates more than $80 million in EBITDA, making it an attractive acquisition target amid rising demand for school safety technology. In recent years, U.S. schools have increasingly turned to digital safety platforms as violent incidents surge. Data from the K-12 School Shooting Database shows 336 incidents in 2024—just below the record 351 in 2023.

Neither Thoma Bravo, JPMorgan, nor Raptor commented on the potential sale.

Companies Eye Stablecoin Launches Under New U.S. Law, Experts Warn of Challenges

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Financial firms including Bank of America, Citigroup, and Fiserv are exploring launching their own dollar-backed stablecoins following the signing of the GENIUS Act, the first U.S. law establishing federal rules for stablecoins. However, experts caution that multiple hurdles remain before widespread adoption.

OVERVIEW OF THE GENIUS ACT

  • Signed by President Donald Trump on July 18, the law provides the first federal framework for stablecoins.

  • Stablecoins are digital tokens pegged to the U.S. dollar, enabling instant payments and cross-border transfers, unlike traditional banking rails that can take days.

  • The law mandates compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and “know your customer” (KYC) rules, particularly impacting nonbank issuers.

CORPORATE INTEREST

  • Banks such as Bank of America, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase have confirmed interest in stablecoin initiatives, while others like Morgan Stanley monitor developments.

  • Retail and e-commerce giants like Walmart and Amazon are reportedly evaluating stablecoin strategies.

  • Companies must decide whether to issue their own stablecoins or partner with existing issuers such as Circle’s USDC, depending on intended use cases.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

  1. Purpose and Use Case

    • Stablecoins could be used externally for customer payments or internally for cross-border settlements.

    • Intended use affects design choices, partnerships, and integration strategies.

  2. Regulatory Compliance

    • Nonbank issuers face higher compliance costs due to AML/KYC obligations.

    • Banks benefit from existing experience in regulatory oversight, sanctions screening, and risk management.

    • Holding stablecoins may affect liquidity requirements and capital ratios under U.S. banking rules.

  3. Blockchain Infrastructure

    • Issuers must select between permissionless (public) blockchains like Ethereum and Solana or permissioned (private) networks.

    • Banks often prefer permissioned chains for governance and control, while startups may leverage public networks for user adoption and scalability.

  4. Regulatory Phasing

    • Effective implementation may take years, with federal agencies like the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency expected to issue detailed risk management and compliance rules.

    • Treasury Department guidance will address foreign stablecoin regulatory compatibility.

EXPERT INSIGHT

  • Stephen Aschettino, partner at Steptoe: “The intended use is going to matter a lot… driving customer engagement versus aiming for broader ubiquity.”

  • Jill DeWitt, Moody’s: Firms with robust KYC and risk management programs have a competitive edge.

  • Nassim Eddequiouaq, Bastion CEO: Permissionless blockchains offer battle-tested scalability during spikes in activity.

CONCLUSION
While the GENIUS Act sets the stage for corporate stablecoins to become a mainstream tool for payments and settlements, regulatory, technical, and strategic challenges mean widespread adoption may still take several years.