GMP Securities announces dedicated blockchain team

• Focused on positioning itself as a leader in this emerging disruptive technology
• Hosting inaugural blockchain and technology conference in December 2017

TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - GMP Capital Inc. (GMP) (TSX: GMP) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, GMP Securities L.P. (GMP Securities), launched a dedicated blockchain technology practice to help corporate clients and investors capitalize on the transformative and disruptive potential of the blockchain and the emerging digital currency space.  The new team will be comprised of investment banking and research professionals. This expansion into the blockchain ecosystem is reflective of the firm's longstanding commitment to the technology space and the belief this technology holds the potential to be a significant disrupter across multiple industries. 

"GMP is ready for blockchain. You might even say we've been waiting for it," said Harris Fricker, President and CEO, GMP.   

GMP Securities has been an innovator in the Canadian financial services space since inception in 1995. As a non-bank owned independent, it is recognized as one of the most creative providers of advice and capital raising services to the small- to mid-cap market in Canada. The Blockchain Team strives to position itself as a leader in this disruptive technology.

Commenting further, Mr. Fricker said, "We have been on the front lines of technology-driven disintermediation – both as disrupter and disruptee. We don't get paid to 'touch' transactions as they grind their way through the endless grid of intermediaries who have for centuries cornered the need to validate the system, its transactions and its participants. And we don't maintain huge centralized client databases that cobble together systems and processes from different decades. There is no innovator's dilemma at GMP. So to blockchain, with its revolutionary distributed ledger technology, we have but one thing to say: Welcome."

GMP Securities is also pleased to announce that it will host the inaugural GMP Securities "Next in Technology" Conference December 7, 2017 in Toronto. The conference will focus on emerging blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies and bring together key industry participants, including technology leaders, financiers and institutional investors, to discuss the most relevant issues facing the industry. 

Introducing GMP Securities' Blockchain Practice

The firm's dedicated blockchain practice is an amalgam of thought leaders in the business. The Team believes the algorithm for wealth creation is rooted in disruption. Blockchain will be the ultimate disrupter.  

The Team aims to partner with innovators in the space to drive the adoption of blockchain and facilitate the flow of investment capital. With its evolving practice, the firm is ideally positioned to partner with technologists, entrepreneurs and financiers who need help navigating the many tiers of the financial services ecosystem.

To learn more, please visit our corporate website at www.gmpsecurities.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws.  This information includes, but is not limited to, statements concerning our objectives, our strategies to achieve those objectives, as well as statements made with respect to management's beliefs, plans, estimates, projections and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "outlook", "objective", "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "should", "plans" or "continue", or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described in this press release. GMP's primary business activities are both competitive and subject to various risks. These risks include market, credit, liquidity, operational and legal and regulatory risks and other risk factors including, without limitation: variation in the market value of securities, volatility and liquidity of equity and fixed income trading markets, volume of new financings and mergers and acquisitions, dependence on key personnel and sustainability of fees. Other factors, such as general economic conditions, including interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations, may also have an effect on GMP's results of operations. Many of these risks and uncertainties can affect GMP's actual results and could cause its actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking information disclosed by management or on its behalf.  For a description of additional risks that could cause our actual results to materially differ from our current expectations, see "Risk Management" and "Risk Factors" in the Second Quarter 2017 MD&A and "Risk Factors" in GMP's annual information form. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones facing GMP together with its consolidated operations controlled by it and its predecessors (GMP Group).  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also impair the operations of the GMP Group.  Material assumptions or factors underlying the forward-looking information contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, "Second Quarter 2017 Financial Highlights", "Segment Results" and "Liquidity and Capital Resources" sections of the Second Quarter 2017 MD&A. Although forward-looking information contained in this press release is based upon what management believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with this forward-looking information. Certain statements included in this press release may be considered a "financial outlook" for purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws, and as such the financial outlook may not be appropriate for purposes other than this press release. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date of this press release, and should not be relied upon as representing GMP's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Except as required by applicable law, management and GMP's Board of Directors undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ABOUT GMP CAPITAL INC.

GMP is a leading independent diversified financial services firm headquartered in Toronto, Canada, providing a wide range of financial products and services to a global client base that includes corporate clients, institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals in two integrated reporting segments. The Capital Markets segment provides investment banking, including advisory and underwriting services, institutional sales and trading and research through offices in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Bahamas and Asia. Wealth Management consists of GMP's non-controlling ownership interest in Richardson GMP Limited. Richardson GMP Limited, Canada's largest independent wealth management firm, is focused on providing exclusive and comprehensive wealth management and investment services delivered by an experienced team of investment professionals. GMP is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "GMP". For further information, please visit our corporate website at gmpcapital.com.

SOURCE GMP Capital Inc.