Findell Reports ISS Recommends Oportun Stockholders Vote FOR Findell Nominee Warren Wilcox and WITHHOLD on Long-Tenured CEO Raul Vazquez at Annual Meeting
Oportun Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: OPRT) received a significant recommendation from Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) regarding its upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting. ISS has recommended stockholders vote FOR Warren Wilcox, Findell Capital's nominee to the Board of Directors, and WITHHOLD votes for CEO Raul Vazquez.
The recommendation comes amid concerns over Oportun's performance, with the stock price declining approximately 55% since its 2019 IPO. ISS criticized the company's 2021 strategic shift, poor corporate governance structure, and board composition issues. The proxy advisory firm highlighted the benefits of electing Wilcox, citing his consumer lending and public board experience, while noting that removing Vazquez's board position would benefit shareholders.
Oportun Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: OPRT) ha ricevuto una raccomandazione importante da Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) in vista della sua Assemblea Annuale del 2025. ISS ha consigliato agli azionisti di votare IN FAVORE di Warren Wilcox, candidato di Findell Capital per il Consiglio di Amministrazione, e di ASTENERSI dal votare per il CEO Raul Vazquez.
La raccomandazione arriva in un contesto di preoccupazioni riguardo alle performance di Oportun, con un calo del prezzo delle azioni di circa 55% dal suo IPO del 2019. ISS ha criticato la svolta strategica del 2021, la scarsa struttura di governance aziendale e i problemi nella composizione del consiglio. La società di consulenza ha evidenziato i vantaggi dell’elezione di Wilcox, sottolineando la sua esperienza nel credito al consumo e nei consigli pubblici, affermando inoltre che la rimozione di Vazquez dal consiglio sarebbe vantaggiosa per gli azionisti.
Oportun Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: OPRT) recibió una recomendación importante de Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) para su próxima Junta Anual de 2025. ISS ha recomendado que los accionistas voten A FAVOR de Warren Wilcox, nominado por Findell Capital para el Consejo de Administración, y RETENGAN su voto para el CEO Raul Vazquez.
La recomendación surge en medio de preocupaciones sobre el desempeño de Oportun, con una caÃda del precio de las acciones de aproximadamente 55% desde su IPO en 2019. ISS criticó el cambio estratégico de 2021, la mala estructura de gobierno corporativo y problemas en la composición del consejo. La firma asesora destacó los beneficios de elegir a Wilcox, citando su experiencia en préstamos al consumidor y en juntas públicas, y señaló que remover a Vazquez del consejo beneficiarÃa a los accionistas.
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ì´ë²ˆ ê¶Œê³ ëŠ� Oportunì� 실ì ì—� 대í•� ìš°ë ¤ ì†ì—ì„� 나왔으며, 주가ëŠ� 2019ë…� IPO ì´í›„ ì•� 55% 하ë½í–ˆìŠµë‹ˆë‹¤. ISSëŠ� 2021ë…� ì „ëžµ ë³€ê²�, 부실한 기업 지배구ì¡�, ì´ì‚¬íš� 구성 ë¬¸ì œë¥� 비íŒí–ˆìŠµë‹ˆë‹¤. ì� 대ë¦� ìžë¬¸ 회사ëŠ� Wilcoxì� 소비ìž� 대ì¶� ë°� 공공 ì´ì‚¬íš� 경험ì� 강조하며, Vazquezë¥� ì´ì‚¬íšŒì—ì„� ì œì™¸í•˜ëŠ” ê²ƒì´ ì£¼ì£¼ë“¤ì—ê²� ì´ìµì� ë� 것ì´ë¼ê³ í‰ê°€í–ˆìŠµë‹ˆë‹¤.
Oportun Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: OPRT) a reçu une recommandation importante de la part d'Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) concernant sa prochaine Assemblée Générale Annuelle de 2025. ISS recommande aux actionnaires de voter POUR Warren Wilcox, candidat de Findell Capital au Conseil d'Administration, et de NE PAS VOTER en faveur du CEO Raul Vazquez.
Cette recommandation intervient dans un contexte d'inquiétudes sur les performances d'Oportun, avec une baisse du cours de l'action d'environ 55 % depuis son introduction en bourse en 2019. ISS a critiqué le virage stratégique de 2021, la mauvaise gouvernance d'entreprise et les problèmes de composition du conseil. Le cabinet de conseil en vote a souligné les avantages de l'élection de Wilcox, mettant en avant son expérience dans le crédit à la consommation et les conseils d'administration publics, tout en notant que le retrait de Vazquez du conseil bénéficierait aux actionnaires.
Oportun Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: OPRT) erhielt eine bedeutende Empfehlung von Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) im Hinblick auf die bevorstehende Hauptversammlung 2025. ISS empfiehlt den Aktionären, für Warren Wilcox, den Kandidaten von Findell Capital für den Vorstand, zu stimmen und die Stimmen für CEO Raul Vazquez zurückzuhalten.
Die Empfehlung erfolgt vor dem Hintergrund von Bedenken hinsichtlich der Unternehmensleistung von Oportun, dessen Aktienkurs seit dem Börsengang 2019 um etwa 55 % gefallen ist. ISS kritisierte die strategische Neuausrichtung 2021, die schwache Unternehmensführung und Probleme in der Zusammensetzung des Vorstands. Die Proxy-Beratung hob die Vorteile einer Wahl Wilcox� hervor, insbesondere seine Erfahrung im Verbraucherkreditgeschäft und in öffentlichen Vorständen, und stellte fest, dass die Entfernung Vazquez� aus dem Vorstand den Aktionären zugutekommen würde.
- Independent proxy advisor ISS supports Findell's nominee Warren Wilcox
- Potential addition of experienced director with consumer lending expertise
- Move towards improving board independence and oversight
- Stock price has declined approximately 55% since 2019 IPO
- Poor corporate governance structure including classified board and supermajority vote standards
- Value-destructive 2021 strategic shift from core business
- Concerns over board independence and management oversight
Insights
ISS backing activist Findell's board nominee signals serious governance concerns at Oportun, increasing pressure on underperforming CEO Vazquez.
This proxy contest represents a significant governance development for Oportun Financial. Leading proxy advisor ISS has recommended shareholders vote for activist investor Findell Capital's nominee Warren Wilcox while withholding votes for CEO Raul Vazquez at the upcoming annual meeting. ISS's endorsement substantially increases the probability of board changes.
The ISS recommendation highlights multiple governance failures at Oportun, including a classified board structure, supermajority voting requirements, and questionable independence among directors. The report specifically criticizes the company's 2021 strategic pivot away from its core business as
From an investor standpoint, this contest centers on accountability for
If successful, Findell's campaign would break what they characterize as an entrenched board aligned with CEO Vazquez. Their nominee Wilcox brings consumer lending expertise that could help redirect the company toward its core strengths. The contest's outcome will determine whether Oportun continues with its current leadership or faces increased pressure for strategic and operational changes to address persistent underperformance.
Leading Independent Proxy Advisory Firm Affirms Findell's Case for Change at 2025 Annual Meeting, While Noting the Firm's Prior Engagement was an Initial Step Toward Improving Oportun
Report from ISS Highlights Years of Poor Corporate Governance and Significant Share Price Underperformance Linked to Mr. Vazquez and his Boardroom Loyalists
Report Concludes the Election of Mr. Wilcox, an Experienced Director and Impartial Industry Veteran, Brings Clear Benefits, Making it Worthwhile to Remove a Poorly Performing CEO from an Insular Board
In its report, ISS criticized the actions of the Vasquez-friendly Board and endorsed Findell's case for boardroom change at this year's Annual Meeting, writing:1
- "The company's 2021 shift away from its core business was almost immediately value destructive. Performance deteriorated rapidly, as costs increased, profitability eroded, and cracks emerged in other important parts of the business."
Ìý - "The headline corporate governance structure includes several features that do not align with the best interests of shareholders, such as the classified board, supermajority vote standards, and the inability of shareholders to act outside the annual meeting cycle."
- "All in, there are serious concerns with board composition, which raise questions about independence and the ability of directors to hold management accountable."
Ìý - "Despite facing so many challenges, the board has supported a concerning array of corporate governance policies and practices since the IPO. The board's comfort with poor corporate governance has led to consistent opposition from shareholders, as reflected in historical vote results."Ìý
Ìý - "…the board's decision to not renominate Parker at this meeting demonstrated that there are still serious concerns that need to be addressed. The decision was made under the guise of improving corporate governance, but it is difficult to interpret as anything other than a blatant attempt to limit input from shareholders."
Ìý - "Ultimately, despite developments, including recent additions and the departure of Williams at this meeting, this board continues to suffer from independence issues. In light of these factors, the dissident has presented a compelling case for change."
ISS also outlined the benefits of electing Mr. Wilcox and removing Mr. Vazquez, noting:
- "It is also worth noting that Vazquez was the CEO at the time of the IPO, meaning that he is as responsible as anyone else for the classified board structure. He was also a driving force behind the strategic pivot, and there is a demonstrated lack of independence that has created concerns about the board's ability to effectively oversee management during the critical, ongoing recovery efforts."
Ìý - "Ultimately, the potential downside of removing Vazquez is outweighed by the clear benefits of adding another independent director with relevant experience. Wilcox, who has consumer lending and public board experience, will join Tambor, Minetti, and Daswani."
Ìý - "Although the leadership positions remain in the hands of longer-tenured directors, this group should be able to evaluate the ongoing recovery efforts from an appropriate perspective, and advocate for the best interests of shareholders on important corporate governance matters moving forward."
Brian Finn, Chief Investment Officer of Findell, commented:
"We are pleased that ISS has concluded Oportun needs a director with Warren Wilcox's objective thinking and strong expertise in the lending industry, especially in light of the Board's defensive and self-serving decision to not renominate shareholder-designated director Scott Parker for election at the upcoming Annual Meeting. Mr. Wilcox's relevant experience and independence from evidently entrenched directors will enable him to challenge legacy assumptions and work alongside new Board members to make better decisions about governance, personnel and strategy. Mr. Vazquez and his allies have controlled the Company for too long, leading to disastrous consequences for our Company and sustained value destruction for investors. By electing Mr. Wilcox, stockholders can break the cycle of value-destructive decisions in the boardroom and help Oportun finally focus on its core strengths in the lending world."
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE CURRENT BOARD'S SPIN OR STUNTS AHEAD OF THE UPCOMING ANNUAL MEETING.
Stockholders should vote today FOR Warren Wilcox and AGAINST Raul Vazquez on the WHITE proxy card.
Visit Ìýto learn more.
Contact:
Findell Capital Management, LLC
88 Pine Street, 22nd Fl.
OR
Saratoga Proxy Consulting LLC
John Ferguson
1 Permission to quote ISS was neither sought nor obtained.
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SOURCE Findell Capital Management, LLC