Germany's Deutsche Börse has respondend to the pan-European aspirations for growth market listings advanced last week by the London Stock Exchange and OMX by repositioning the Regulated Unofficial Market of the FWB Frankfurt Stock Exchange as an international market.
The rebranded 'Open Market' already provides a trading platform for some 5900 German and international companies. Much like the LSE's junior market AIM, and Euronext's recently revamped Alternext, the Open Market offers cheaper access to capital and a reduced regulatory burden for listed SMEs.
Both the LSE and Sweden's OMX last week outlined plans to grow their junior markets through international expansion.
Rainer Riess, deputy chairman of FWB and managing director stock market business development, says: "We are enhancing the attractiveness of the Open Market for international investors and are providing an even easier access to our market."
The rebranded market will be relaunched on 25 October, with relaxed admission and disclosure criteria, reduced fees and the promise of easier trading access for FWB members.