OTC Link LLC

OTC Link LLC (OTC Link) is owned by OTC Markets Group Inc., formerly known as Pink OTC Markets Inc.  OTC Link is an electronic inter-dealer quotation system that displays quotes from broker-dealers for many over-the-counter (OTC) securities.  "Market makers" and other broker-dealers who buy and sell OTC securities can use OTC Link to publish their bid and ask quotation prices.  OTC Link is registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer and as an alternative trading system, and is a member of FINRA.  OTC Link does not require companies whose securities are quoted on its systems to meet any listing requirements.  With the exception of some foreign issuers, the companies quoted on OTC Link tend to be closely held, extremely small and/or thinly traded.  Most of these issuers do not meet the minimum listing requirements for trading on a national securities exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market.  Many of these companies do not file periodic reports or audited financial statements with the SEC, making it very difficult for investors to find current, reliable information about those companies.  For all of these reasons, companies quoted on OTC Link can be among the most risky investments.  That's why you should take extra care to thoroughly research any company quoted exclusively on OTC Link.  Be aware that some broker-dealers are required by Rule 15c2-11 under the 1934 Act to have some information about the issuer.  Ask your broker-dealer whether it has any Rule 15c2-11 information before you invest.

The OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) eligibility rule requires companies whose securities are quoted on the OTCBB to file updated financial reports with the SEC or with their banking or insurance regulators.  If these companies failed to file current financial reports, their securities would be removed from the OTCBB, but could be quoted in another system, such as OTC Link.  On the OTC Bulletin Board's website, you can find data concerning companies that were removed from the OTCBB.  If you are considering investing in a company that trades on the OTCBB, you can find reports filed by the company on the SEC's EDGAR database.

For more information about the OTCBB, please read "OTC Bulletin Board" in our Fast Answers database.