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Related Party Transactions
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions
In connection with the Corporate Conversion on July 1, 2023, the BGC Group Board and the Board of Directors of BGC Partners authorized the assumption of all agreements and arrangements between BGC Partners and any executive officer, director or affiliate of BGC Partners, with such modifications necessary to reflect the Corporate Conversion. Pursuant to the foregoing authorization, any existing agreements and arrangements between BGC Partners and any executive officer, director or affiliate of BGC Partners, were generally assumed unchanged, other than making BGC Group a party thereto.
Service Agreements
Throughout Europe and Asia, the Company provides Cantor with administrative services, technology services and other support for which it charges Cantor based on the cost of providing such services plus a mark-up, generally 7.5%. In the U.K., the Company provides these services to Cantor through Tower Bridge. The Company owns 52% of Tower Bridge and consolidates it, and Cantor owns 48%. Cantor’s interest in Tower Bridge is reflected as a component of “Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, and the portion of Tower Bridge’s income attributable to Cantor is included as part of “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. In the U.S., the Company provides Cantor with technology services, for which it charges Cantor based on the cost of providing such services.
The administrative services agreement provides that direct costs incurred are charged back to the service recipient. Additionally, the service recipient generally indemnifies the service provider for liabilities that it incurs arising from the provision of services other than liabilities arising from fraud or willful misconduct of the service provider. In accordance with the administrative service agreement, the Company has not recognized any liabilities related to services provided to affiliates.
For both the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, Cantor’s share of the net profit in Tower Bridge was $0.5 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, Cantor’s share of the net profit in Tower Bridge was $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively. This net profit or loss is included as part of “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
On September 21, 2018, the Company entered into agreements to provide a guarantee and related obligation to Tower Bridge in connection with an office lease for the Company’s headquarters in London. The Company is obligated to guarantee the obligations of Tower Bridge in the event of certain defaults under the applicable lease and ancillary arrangements. In July 2018, the Audit Committee also authorized management of the Company to enter into similar guarantees or provide other forms of credit support to Tower Bridge or other affiliates of the Company from time to time in the future in similar circumstances and on similar terms and conditions.
For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized related party revenues of $4.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively, for the services provided to Cantor. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized related party revenues of $9.1 million and $8.0 million, respectively, for the services provided to Cantor. These revenues are included as part of “Fees from related parties” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In the U.S., Cantor and its affiliates provide the Company with administrative services and other support for which Cantor charges the Company based on the cost of providing such services. In connection with the services Cantor provides, the Company and Cantor entered into an administrative services agreement whereby certain employees of Cantor are deemed leased employees of the Company.
For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company was charged $25.7 million and $24.2 million, respectively, for the services provided by Cantor and its affiliates, of which $17.7 million and $16.2 million, respectively, were to cover compensation to leased employees for these periods. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company was charged $52.3 million and $48.1 million, respectively, for the services provided by Cantor and its affiliates, of which $37.1 million and $31.7 million, respectively, were to cover compensation to leased employees for these periods. The fees charged by Cantor for administrative and support services, other than those to cover the compensation costs of leased employees, are included as part of “Fees to related parties” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fees charged by Cantor to cover the compensation costs of leased employees are included as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In connection with the Corporate Conversion on July 1, 2023, BGC Group, Cantor and certain affiliates of Cantor entered into an Amended and Restated U.S. Master Administrative Services Agreement and an Amended and Restated U.K. Master Administrative Services Agreement.
FMX Administrative Services Agreement
In connection with the FMX Separation, on April 23, 2024, Tower Bridge and FMX entered into an Administrative Services Agreement, pursuant to which Tower Bridge would provide certain administrative services and technology services to FMX.
Clearing Agreements with Cantor
The Company and its subsidiaries receive certain clearing services from Cantor and its subsidiaries pursuant to several clearing agreements, including the Clearing Services Agreement. These clearing services are provided in exchange for payment by the Company and its subsidiaries of third-party clearing costs and allocated costs. The costs associated with these payments are included as part of “Fees to related parties” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The costs for these services are included as part of the charges to BGC for services provided by Cantor and its affiliates as discussed in “Service Agreements” above.
On June 7, 2024, the Company amended the Clearing Services Agreement to modify the rate charged by CF&Co for posting margin in respect of trades cleared on behalf of BGCF to a rate equal to CF&Co’s cost of funding such margin through a draw on a third party credit facility provided to CF&Co for which the use of proceeds is to finance clearinghouse margin deposits and related transactions.
Clearing Capital Agreement with Cantor
In November 2008, the Company entered into the Clearing Capital Agreement with Cantor to clear U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities transactions on the Company’s behalf. In June 2020, the Clearing Capital Agreement was amended to cover Cantor providing clearing services in all eligible financial products to the Company and not just U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, so long as Cantor is providing clearing services to BGC, Cantor shall be entitled to request from the Company cash or other collateral acceptable to Cantor in the amount reasonably requested by Cantor under the Clearing Capital Agreement or Cantor will post cash or other collateral on BGC’s behalf for a commercially reasonable charge. On June 7, 2024, the Company amended the Clearing Capital Agreement to modify the rate charged Cantor for posting margin in respect of trades cleared on behalf of the Company to a rate equal to Cantor’s cost of funding such margin through a draw on a third party credit facility provided to Cantor, for which the use of proceeds is to finance clearinghouse margin deposits and related transactions. The Clearing Capital Agreement amendment also assigned BGC Partners’ rights and obligations thereunder to BGC Group.
During the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company was charged $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, by Cantor for the cash or other collateral posted by Cantor on BGC’s behalf. During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company was charged $1.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively, by Cantor for the cash or other collateral posted by Cantor on BGC’s behalf. Cantor had not requested any cash or other property from the Company as collateral as of June 30, 2024.
Non-Conforming Subordination Agreements

On June 26, 2024, the Audit Committee of BGC approved the entry into one or more non-conforming subordination agreements by BGC or its subsidiaries, including FMX, with CF&Co (or its affiliates). Pursuant to any non-conforming subordination agreement, the BGC party would acknowledge that its brokerage account(s) held at CF&Co are not “customers” of CF&Co and would agree to subordinate its right to receive securities or funds held in such accounts to the claims of Cantor’s customers. This acknowledgment and agreement by the relevant BGC party enables CF&Co to receive such securities or funds from the BGC party and post them with the FICC without requiring that they be segregated.
Purchase of Futures Exchange Group
On July 30, 2021, the Company completed the purchase of the Futures Exchange Group for a purchase price of $4.9 million at closing, plus the cash held at closing by the Futures Exchange Group, and an earn-out, only payable out of the Company’s portion of the profits of the Futures Exchange Group, capped at the amount Cantor contributed to the Futures Exchange Group prior to closing. The transaction has been accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control.
As part of the purchase of the Futures Exchange Group, Cantor has agreed to indemnify the Company for certain expenses arising at the Futures Exchange Group up to a maximum of $1.0 million. As of both June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had recorded assets of $1.0 million in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition for this indemnity.
Newmark Spin-Off
The Separation and Distribution Agreement sets forth certain agreements among BGC, Cantor, Newmark and their respective subsidiaries relating to the Spin-Off. For additional information, see Note 2—“Limited Partnership Interests in BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings” herein and Note 2—“Limited Partnership Interests in BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings” and Note 13—“Related Party Transactions” to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Subsequent to the Spin-Off, there were remaining partners who held limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings who are Newmark employees, and there are remaining partners who hold limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings who are BGC employees. These limited partnership interests represent interests that were held prior to the Newmark IPO or were distributed in connection with the Separation. Following the Newmark IPO, employees of BGC and Newmark only receive limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings, respectively. As a result of the Spin-Off, as the previous limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings held by Newmark employees and the existing limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings held by BGC employees were/are exchanged/redeemed, the related capital is contributed to and from Cantor, respectively.
Prior to the Corporate Conversion, all BGC Holdings units held by employees of Newmark were redeemed or exchanged, in each case, for shares of BGC Class A common stock.
BGC Credit Agreement
On March 19, 2018, BGC Partners entered into the BGC Credit Agreement with Cantor. The BGC Credit Agreement provides for each party and certain of its subsidiaries to issue loans to the other party or any of its subsidiaries at the lender’s discretion in an aggregate principal amount up to $250.0 million outstanding at any time. The BGC Credit Agreement replaced the previous Credit Facility between BGC Partners and an affiliate of Cantor. On August 6, 2018, BGC Partners entered into an amendment to the BGC Credit Agreement, which increased the aggregate principal amount that could be loaned to the other party or any of its subsidiaries from $250.0 million to $400.0 million that can be outstanding at any time. On October 6, 2023, BGC Group assumed all rights and obligations of BGC Partners under the BGC Credit Agreement.
On March 8, 2024, the Company entered into a second amendment to the BGC Credit Agreement. The second amendment provides that the parties and their respective subsidiaries may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate equal to 25 basis points less than the interest rate on the respective borrower’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect. Previously, the parties and their respective subsidiaries could borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate equal to 1.00% higher than the higher of Cantor’s or BGC’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect. The BGC Credit Agreement will mature on the earlier to occur of (a) if prior written notice of non-extension is given by a lending party to a borrowing party at least six months in advance thereof, March 19, 2025, and if such notice is not timely given, then the maturity date of the BGC Credit Agreement will continue to be extended for additional successive one-year periods unless prior written notice of non-extension is given by a lending party to a borrowing party at least six months in advance of such renewal date and (b) the termination of the BGC Credit Agreement by either party pursuant to its terms.
On June 7, 2024, the Company entered into a third amendment to the BGC Credit Agreement. The third amendment provides that the parties and their respective subsidiaries may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million pursuant to a new category of “FICC-GSD Margin Loans.” FICC-GSD Margin Loans will bear interest at a rate equal to the overnight interest rate actually earned by the borrower or its affiliates on borrowings under the applicable FICC-GSD Margin Loan that are posted to clearinghouses or kept available for posting at clearinghouses. The maturity date in respect of FICC-GSD Margin Loans will not exceed 35 days from the date the loan is made, unless otherwise agreed by the parties. All other terms of the BGC Credit Agreement, including terms applicable to loans made thereunder that are not FICC-GSD Margin Loans, remain the same.
On March 12, 2024, the Company borrowed $275.0 million from Cantor under the BGC Credit Agreement and used the proceeds from such borrowing to repay the principal and interest related to all of the $240.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement. As of March 31, 2024, there were $275.0 million of borrowings by the Company outstanding under the BGC Credit Agreement. As of March, 31, 2024, the interest rate on this facility was 6.92%. On April 1, 2024, the Company repaid in full the $275.0 million of principal and interest amounts outstanding from the BGC Credit Agreement. As of June 30, 2024, there were no borrowings by the Company outstanding under the BGC Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, there were no borrowings by BGC Partners or Cantor outstanding under this agreement. The Company did not record any interest expense related to the BGC Credit Agreement for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The Company recorded interest expense related to the BGC Credit Agreement of $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The Company did not record any interest expense related to the BGC Credit Agreement for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.
On June 10, 2024, Cantor borrowed $180.0 million from the Company under the BGC Credit Agreement. As of June 30, 2024, there were $180.0 million of borrowings by Cantor outstanding under the BGC Credit Agreement. These borrowings are not considered FICC-GSD Margin Loans. As of June 30, 2024, the interest rate on this facility was 7.18%. The Company recorded interest income related to the BGC Credit Agreement of $0.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. The Company did not record any interest income related to the BGC Credit Agreement for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.
Other Agreements with Cantor
The Company is authorized to enter into short-term arrangements with Cantor to cover any delivery failures in connection with U.S. Treasury securities transactions. As of June 30, 2024, there were $6.6 million in Repurchase Agreements between the Company and Cantor, which matured on July 1, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, there were no Repurchase Agreements between the Company and Cantor.
As part of the Company’s cash management process, the Company may enter into Reverse Repurchase Agreements and other short-term investments with Cantor. As of both June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no Reverse Repurchase Agreements between the Company and Cantor.
To more effectively manage the Company’s exposure to changes in FX rates, the Company and Cantor have agreed to jointly manage the exposure. As a result, the Company is authorized to divide the quarterly allocation of any profit or loss relating to FX currency hedging between the Company and Cantor. The amount allocated to each party is based on the total net exposure for the Company and Cantor. The ratio of gross exposures of the Company and Cantor is utilized to determine the shares of profit or loss allocated to each for the period. For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized its share of FX loss of $1.4 million and FX gain of $3.5 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized its share of FX loss of $1.4 million and FX gain of $4.9 million, respectively. These gains are included as part of “Other expenses” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Pursuant to the separation agreement relating to the Company’s acquisition of certain BGC businesses from Cantor in 2008, Cantor has a right, subject to certain conditions, to be the Company’s customer and to pay the lowest commissions paid by any other customer, whether by volume, dollar or other applicable measure. In addition, Cantor has an unlimited right to internally use the Company’s market data without any cost but Cantor does not have the right to furnish such data to any third party. Any future related-party transactions or arrangements between the Company and Cantor are subject to prior approval by the Audit Committee. During the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded revenues from Cantor entities of $0.1 million and nil, respectively, related to commissions paid to the Company by Cantor. During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded revenues from Cantor entities of $0.2 million and nil, respectively, related to commissions paid to the Company by Cantor. These revenues are included as part of “Commissions” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company and Cantor are authorized to utilize each other’s brokers to provide brokerage services for securities not brokered by such entity, so long as, unless otherwise agreed, such brokerage services were provided in the ordinary course and on terms no less favorable to the receiving party than such services are provided to typical third-party customers.
In August 2013, the Audit Committee authorized the Company to invest up to $350.0 million in an asset-backed commercial paper program for which certain Cantor entities serve as placement agent and referral agent. The program issues short-term notes to money market investors and is expected to be used by the Company from time to time as a liquidity management vehicle. The notes are backed by assets of highly rated banks. The Company is entitled to invest in the program so long as the program meets investment policy guidelines, including policies related to ratings. Cantor will earn a spread between the rate it receives from the short-term note issuer and the rate it pays to the Company on any investments in this program. This spread will be no greater than the spread earned by Cantor for placement of any other commercial paper note in the program. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and as of the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any investments in the program.
On June 5, 2015, BGC Partners entered into the Exchange Agreement with Cantor providing Cantor, CFGM and other Cantor affiliates entitled to hold BGC Partners Class B common stock the right to exchange BGC Partners Class A common stock into shares of BGC Partners Class B common stock from time to time, on a one-to-one basis, subject to adjustment, up to an aggregate of 34.6 million shares of BGC Class A common stock then owned or subsequently acquired by such Cantor entities for up to an aggregate of 34.6 million shares of BGC Class B common stock. The Exchange Agreement enabled the Cantor entities to acquire the same number of shares of BGC Class B common stock that they were entitled to acquire, prior to the Corporate Conversion, without having to exchange Cantor units in BGC Holdings.
In connection with the Corporate Conversion on July 1, 2023, the Exchange Agreement with Cantor terminated based on its own terms.
On July 1, 2023, as a result of the Corporate Conversion, the total outstanding 64.0 million Cantor units were converted into shares of BGC Class B common stock, subject to the terms and conditions of the Corporate Conversion Agreement, provided that a portion of the 64.0 million shares of BGC Class B common stock issued to Cantor will convert into BGC Class A common stock in the event that BGC Group does not issue at least $75.0 million in shares of BGC Class A or B common stock in connection with certain acquisition transactions prior to the seventh anniversary of the Corporate Conversion.
As of June 30, 2024, Cantor and CFGM did not own any shares of BGC Class A common stock. As of June 30, 2024, Cantor and CFGM owned 93.3 million and 3.0 million shares of BGC Class B common stock, respectively.
Receivables from and Payables to Related Broker-Dealers
Amounts due to or from Cantor and Freedom, one of the Company’s equity method investments, are for transactional revenues under a technology and services agreement with Freedom, as well as for open derivative contracts. These are included as part of “Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers” or “Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had receivables from Freedom of $2.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $3.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively, in receivables from Cantor related to open derivative contracts. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $1.2 million and $4.9 million, respectively, in payables to Cantor related to open derivative contracts. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $9.3 million in payables to Cantor related to fails and pending trades. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $0.8 million in receivables from Cantor related to fails and pending trades.
Loans, Forgivable Loans and Other Receivables from Employees and Partners, Net
The Company has entered into various agreements with certain BGC employees and, prior to the Corporate Conversion, partners whereby these individuals receive loans which may be either wholly or in part repaid from the distributions that the individuals receive on some or all of their LPUs in BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings, prior to the Corporate Conversion, and by distributions that the individuals receive on some or all of their LPUs in Newmark Holdings and any dividends paid on participating RSUs and restricted stock awards, subsequent to the Corporate Conversion. Certain of these loans also may be either wholly or in part repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the BGC employees’ shares of BGC Class A common stock. In addition, certain loans may be forgiven over a period of time. The forgivable portion of these loans is recognized as compensation expense over the life of the loan. From time to time, the Company may also enter into agreements with employees to grant bonus and salary advances or other types of loans. These advances and loans are repayable in the timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements.
As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the aggregate balance of employee loans, net, was $394.5 million and $367.8 million, respectively, and is included as “Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Compensation expense for the above-mentioned employee loans for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $14.6 million and $11.6 million, respectively. Compensation expense for the above-mentioned employee loans for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $29.4 million and $25.5 million, respectively. The compensation expense related to these employee loans is included as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Interest income on the above-mentioned employee loans for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $2.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Interest income on the above-mentioned employee loans for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $5.8 million and $3.9 million, respectively. The interest income related to these employee loans is included as part of “Interest and dividend income” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
CEO Program and Other Transactions with CF&Co
As discussed in Note 7—“Stock Transactions and Unit Redemptions,” BGC Partners entered into the August 2022 Sales Agreement, and after the Corporate Conversion, BGC Group entered into the July 2023 Sales Agreement with CF&Co as the Company’s sales agent under the CEO Program. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not sell any shares of Class A common stock under its CEO Program. For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company was not charged for services provided by CF&Co related to the CEO Program with CF&Co. The net proceeds of any shares sold would be included as part of “Additional paid-in capital” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
The Company has engaged CF&Co and its affiliates to act as financial advisors in connection with one or more third-party business combination transactions as requested by the Company on behalf of its affiliates from time to time on specified terms, conditions and fees. The Company may pay finders’, investment banking or financial advisory fees to broker-dealers, including, but not limited to, CF&Co and its affiliates, from time to time in connection with certain business combination transactions, and, in some cases, the Company may issue shares of BGC Class A common stock in full or partial payment of such fees.
On October 3, 2014, management was granted approval by the Board and Audit Committee to enter into stock loan transactions with CF&Co utilizing equities securities. Such stock loan transactions will bear market terms and rates. As of June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any Securities loaned transactions with CF&Co.
On July 24, 2018, the Company issued an aggregate of $450.0 million principal amount of BGC Partners 5.375% Senior Notes. The BGC Partners 5.375% Senior Notes were general senior unsecured obligations of the Company. In connection with this issuance of the BGC Partners 5.375% Senior Notes, the Company recorded approximately $0.3 million in underwriting fees payable to CF&Co. The Company also paid CF&Co an advisory fee of $0.2 million in connection with the issuance. These fees were recorded as a direct reduction from the Notes payable and other borrowings in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and were amortized as interest expense over the term of the notes. The BGC Partners 5.375% Senior Notes matured on July 24, 2023.
On September 27, 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of $300.0 million principal amount of BGC Partners 3.750% Senior Notes. In connection with this issuance of BGC Partners 3.750% Senior Notes, the Company recorded $0.2 million in underwriting fees payable to CF&Co. These fees were recorded as a direct reduction from the Notes payable and other borrowings in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and are amortized as interest expense over the term of the notes.
On June 11, 2020, BGC Partners’ Board of Directors and its Audit Committee authorized a debt repurchase program for the repurchase by the Company of up to $50.0 million of Company Debt Securities, and on July 1, 2023, BGC Group’s Board of Directors and its Audit Committee authorized a debt repurchase program for the repurchase by the Company of up to $50.0 million of Company Debt Securities. Repurchases of Company Debt Securities, if any, are expected to reduce future cash interest payments, as well as future amounts due at maturity or upon redemption. Under the authorization, the Company may make repurchases of Company Debt Securities for cash from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine. Additionally, the Company is authorized to make any such repurchases of Company Debt Securities through CF&Co (or its affiliates), in its capacity as agent or principal, or such other broker-dealers as management shall determine to utilize from time to time, and such repurchases shall be subject to brokerage commissions which are no higher than standard market commission rates. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $50.0 million remaining under its debt repurchase authorization.
On July 10, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of $300.0 million principal amount of the BGC Partners 4.375% Senior Notes. In connection with this issuance of BGC Partners 4.375% Senior Notes, the Company recorded $0.2 million in underwriting fees payable to CF&Co. These fees were recorded as a direct reduction from the Notes payable and other borrowings in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and are amortized as interest expense over the term of the notes. Cantor purchased $14.5 million of such senior notes and tendered such notes in the Exchange Offer in exchange for an equivalent amount of BGC Group 4.375% Senior Notes. Cantor holds such BGC Group 4.375% Senior Notes as of June 30, 2024.
On May 25, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of $350.0 million principal amount of the BGC Partners 8.000% Senior Notes. In connection with this issuance of BGC Partners 8.000% Senior Notes, the Company paid $0.2 million in underwriting fees to CF&Co. These fees were recorded as a direct reduction from the Notes payable and other borrowings in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and are amortized as interest expense over the term of the notes.
On June 10, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of $500.0 million principal amount of the BGC Group 6.600% Senior Notes. In connection with this issuance of BGC Group 6.600% Senior Notes, the Company paid $0.4 million in underwriting fees to CF&Co. These fees were recorded as a direct reduction from the Notes payable and other borrowings in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and are amortized as interest expense over the term of the notes.
In connection with the issuance of the BGC Group 6.600% Senior Notes, on June 10, 2024, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the initial purchasers in the offering of the BGC Group 6.600% Senior Notes, including CF&Co, pursuant to which we are obligated to file a registration statement with the SEC with respect to an offer to exchange the BGC Group 6.600% Notes for a substantially identical issue of notes registered under the Securities Act and to complete such exchange offer prior to 365 days after June 10, 2024.
Cantor Rights to Purchase Cantor Units from BGC Holdings
Prior to the Corporate Conversion, Cantor had the right to purchase Cantor units from BGC Holdings upon redemption of non-exchangeable FPUs redeemed by BGC Holdings upon termination or bankruptcy of the Founding/Working Partner. In addition, where current, terminating, or terminated partners were permitted by the Company to exchange any portion of their FPUs and Cantor consented to such exchangeability, the Company would offer to Cantor the opportunity for Cantor to purchase the same number of Cantor units in BGC Holdings at the price that Cantor would have paid for Cantor units had the Company redeemed the FPUs. If Cantor acquired any Cantor units as a result of the purchase or redemption by BGC Holdings of any FPUs, Cantor would be entitled to the benefits (including distributions) of such units it acquired from the date of termination or bankruptcy of the applicable Founding/Working Partner.
On May 17, 2022, Cantor purchased from BGC Holdings an aggregate of 427,494 Cantor units for an aggregate consideration of $841,010 as a result of the redemption of 427,494 FPUs, and 52,681 Cantor units for an aggregate consideration of $105,867 as a result of the exchange of 52,681 FPUs.
On October 25, 2022, Cantor purchased from BGC Holdings an aggregate of 275,833 Cantor units for an aggregate consideration of $397,196 as a result of the redemption of 275,833 FPUs, and 77,507 Cantor units for aggregate consideration of $142,613 as a result of the exchange of 77,507 FPUs.
On April 16, 2023, Cantor purchased from BGC Holdings an aggregate of 533,757 Cantor units for an aggregate consideration of $1,051,080 as a result of the redemption of 533,757 FPUs, and 85,775 Cantor units for an aggregate consideration of $173,154 as a result of the exchange of 85,775 FPUs.
On June 30, 2023, Cantor purchased from BGC Holdings an aggregate of 5,425,209 Cantor units for an aggregate consideration of $9,715,772 as a result of the redemption of 5,425,209 FPUs, and 324,223 Cantor units for an aggregate consideration of $598,712 as a result of the exchange of 324,223 FPUs.
As of June 30, 2024, there were no FPUs in BGC Holdings remaining.
Cantor Aurel Revenue Sharing Agreement
On June 24, 2021, the Board and Audit Committee authorized the Company’s French subsidiary, Aurel BGC SAS, to enter into a revenue sharing agreement pursuant to which Cantor shall provide services to Aurel to support Aurel’s investment banking activities with respect to special purpose acquisition companies. The services provided by Cantor to Aurel in support of such SPAC Investment Banking Activities shall include referral of clients, structuring advice, financial advisory services, referral of investors, deal execution services, and other advisory services in support of Aurel’s SPAC Investment Banking Activities pursuant to its French investment services license. As compensation, Cantor shall receive a revenue share of 80% of Aurel’s net revenue attributable to SPAC Investment Banking Activities. The term of the revenue sharing agreement was for an initial period of 12 months, which automatically renews each year unless either party provides notice of termination at least three months prior to the anniversary. Aurel is also authorized to serve as bookrunner, underwriter or advisor in connection with French SPACs which are sponsored by Cantor at market rates for such services. For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, Aurel had no revenue or fees payable to Cantor attributable to SPAC Investment Banking Activities. Any revenue or fees payable to Cantor attributable to SPAC Investment Banking Activities would be included as part of “Other revenues” and “Fees to related parties,” respectively, in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors
On January 2, 2024, Mr. Merkel sold 136,891 shares of Class A common stock to the Company in an exempt transaction made pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The sale price per share of $6.98 was the closing price of a share of Class A common stock on January 2, 2024. The transaction was approved by the Audit and Compensation Committees of the Board and was made pursuant to the Company’s stock buyback authorization.
On September 21, 2023, Mr. Windeatt sold 474,808 shares of BGC Class A common stock to the Company. The sale price per share of $5.29 was the closing price of a share of BGC Class A common stock on September 21, 2023. The transaction was approved by the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee of the Board and was made pursuant to the Company’s stock buyback authorization.
On June 8, 2023, the Company repurchased all of Mr. Windeatt’s 128,279 exchangeable BGC Holdings LPUs at a price of $4.79 per unit, which was the closing price of a share of our Class A common stock on June 8, 2023. The Compensation Committee granted Mr. Windeatt 128,279 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings LPUs on April 1, 2021. Pursuant to the exchange rights schedule of the grant, on April 1, 2023, the 128,279 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings LPUs became immediately exchangeable.
In connection with the Corporate Conversion, on June 2, 2023 Mr. Merkel sold 150,000 shares of Class A common stock to BGC Partners at $4.21 per share, the closing price of a share of Class A common stock on June 2, 2023. The transaction was approved by the Audit and Compensation Committees of the Board of BGC Partners and was made pursuant to BGC Partners’ stock buyback authorization.
In connection with the Corporate Conversion, on May 18, 2023, the BGC Partners Compensation Committee approved the redemption of all of the non-exchangeable BGC Holdings units held by Mr. Merkel at that time. On May 18, 2023, Mr. Merkel’s 148,146 NPSU-CVs, 33,585 PSU-CVs, and 74,896 PSUs were redeemed for zero and an aggregate of 256,627 shares of Class A common stock were granted to Mr. Merkel, and 148,146 NPPSU-CVs with a total determination amount of $681,250 and 33,585 PPSU-CVs with a total determination amount of $162,500 were redeemed for an aggregate cash payment of $843,750. After deduction of shares of BGC Class A common stock to satisfy applicable tax withholding through the surrender of shares of BGC Class A common stock valued at $4.61 per share, Mr. Merkel received 196,525 net shares of Class A common stock.
Since Mr. Lutnick had previously repeatedly waived his rights under the Standing Policy, as of May 18, 2023 his rights had accumulated for 7,879,736 non-exchangeable PSUs, and 103,763 non-exchangeable PPSUs with a determination amount of $474,195. Due to the May 18, 2023 monetization of all of Mr. Merkel’s then-remaining non-exchangeable BGC Holdings units, on such date Mr. Lutnick received additional incremental monetization rights for his then-remaining 3,452,991 non-exchangeable PSUs, and 1,348,042 non-exchangeable PPSUs with a determination amount of $6,175,805.
In connection with the Corporate Conversion and, as a result of the monetization event for Mr. Merkel, on May 18, 2023 Mr. Lutnick elected to exercise in full his monetization rights under the Standing Policy, which he had previously waived in prior years. All of the non-exchangeable BGC Holdings units that Mr. Lutnick held at that time were monetized as follows: 11,332,727 PSUs were redeemed for zero and 11,332,727 shares of Class A common stock were granted to Mr. Lutnick, and 1,451,805 PPSUs with an aggregate determination amount of $6,650,000 were redeemed for an aggregate cash payment of $6,650,000. After deduction of applicable tax withholding through the surrender of shares of BGC Class A common stock valued at $4.61 per share, Mr. Lutnick received 5,710,534 net shares of Class A common stock.
On May 18, 2023, Mr. Lutnick also exchanged his then-remaining 520,380 exchangeable PSUs for 520,380 shares of Class A common stock. After deduction of applicable tax withholding through the surrender of shares of Class A common stock valued at $4.61 per share, Mr. Lutnick received 232,610 net shares of Class A common stock. In addition, on May 18, 2023, Mr. Lutnick’s then-remaining 1,474,930 non-exchangeable HDUs were redeemed for a cash capital account payment of $9,148,000, $2.1 million of which was paid by BGC Partners with the remainder paid by Newmark. As a result of the various transactions on May 18, 2023 described above, on May 18, 2023, Mr. Lutnick no longer held any limited partnership units of BGC Holdings.
On April 18, 2023, Dr. Bell sold 21,786 shares of Class A common stock to the Company. The sale price per share of $4.59 was the closing price of a share of Class A common stock on April 18, 2023. The transaction was approved by the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee of the Board and was made pursuant to the Company’s stock buyback authorization.
Mr. Windeatt 2023 Deed of Amendment
On July 12, 2023, Mr. Windeatt executed the 2023 Deed of Amendment with the U.K. Partnership which amends his prior executed Deed of Adherence with the U.K. Partnership regarding the terms of his employment. Under the 2023 Deed of Amendment, the initial period of Mr. Windeatt’s membership in the U.K. Partnership was extended from September 30, 2025 to December 31, 2028. In addition, under the 2023 Deed of Amendment, commencing January 1, 2027, either party may terminate the Deed by giving written notice to the other party at least 24 months prior to the expiration of the initial period. Mr. Windeatt’s membership, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms of the Deed, will continue following December 31, 2028 on the same terms and conditions set forth in the Deed until written notice to terminate is provided and the 24-month notice period expires.
Pursuant to the 2023 Deed of Amendment, Mr. Windeatt is also entitled to an increase in drawings from an aggregate amount of £600,000 per year to an aggregate amount of £700,000 per year effective January 1, 2023, which shall be reviewed by the Compensation Committee annually. Mr. Windeatt is also eligible for additional allocations of the U.K. Partnership’s profits, subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee.
In connection and in consideration for Mr. Windeatt’s execution of the 2023 Deed of Amendment, on July 10, 2023 the Company approved accelerating the vesting of 720,509 of the Company’s RSUs held by Mr. Windeatt (calculated based upon the closing price of the Company’s Class A common stock on July 10, 2023 which was $4.45) and the vesting of $780,333 of the RSU Tax Account held by Mr. Windeatt. Such RSUs and RSU Tax Account amount vested on July 12, 2023, and the total value of this transaction was approximately $3,986,600.
Transactions with the Relief Fund
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company committed to make charitable contributions to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund in the amount of $40.0 million, which was included in “Other expenses” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 and “Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The Company had fully paid the $40.0 million commitment during the third quarter of 2022.
As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had an additional liability to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund and The Cantor Foundation (UK) for $12.8 million and $12.7 million, respectively, which included $6.7 million and $6.4 million of additional expense taken in September 2023 and 2022, respectively, above the original $40.0 million commitment.
Other Transactions
The Company was authorized to enter into loans, investments or other credit support arrangements for Aqua, an alternative electronic trading platform that offered new pools of block liquidity to the global equities markets; such arrangements were proportionally and on the same terms as similar arrangements between Aqua and Cantor. On each of February 15, 2022 and February 25, 2021, the Board and Audit Committee increased the authorized amount by an additional $1.0 million, to an aggregate of $21.2 million. The Company had been further authorized to provide counterparty or similar guarantees on behalf of Aqua from time to time, provided that liability for any such guarantees, as well as similar guarantees provided by Cantor, would be shared proportionally with Cantor. Aqua was 51% owned by Cantor and 49% owned by the Company.
The Company had also entered into a subordinated loan agreement with Aqua, whereby the Company loaned Aqua the principal sum of $1.0 million, and was recorded as part of “Receivables from related parties” in the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The scheduled maturity date on the subordinated loan was September 1, 2024. The Company did not recognize any interest income on the subordinated loan subsequent to it being designated as a non-accrual loan in November 2022. As of December 31, 2022, the Company wrote off $0.6 million of the subordinated loan, which was recorded as part of “Other expenses” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company received cash payment fully satisfying the remaining subordinated loan receivable of $0.4 million.
The Company periodically acts as an intermediary to administer payments on behalf of related parties.