Creative Media & Community Trust (CMCT) proposes reverse stock splits to address Nasdaq compliance
Creative Media & Community Trust Corporation (CMCT) is holding a virtual special meeting on September 23, 2025 to seek stockholder approval to amend its charter to permit a reverse stock split at one of three ratios (1:4, 1:7 or 1:10), each exercisable at the Company’s discretion any time prior to September 23, 2026. As of the record date (August 26, 2025) there were 789,251 shares of common stock outstanding. The Board unanimously recommends voting FOR all proposals to raise the per-share price and attempt to maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s $1.00 minimum bid rule. The filing explains that large issuances of common stock to satisfy preferred stock redemptions have pressured the share price and that failure to regain sustained bid-price compliance could lead to delisting or trading on less liquid markets.
Positive
- Board unanimity: The Board unanimously recommends voting FOR each proposal, showing management alignment.
- Flexible remedy: Approval of three ratios gives the Company discretion to choose the most appropriate split ratio through September 23, 2026.
- Disclosure of mechanics: Filing details fractional-share treatment, tax consequences and exchange procedures, reducing execution uncertainty.
Negative
- Listing risk: The Company previously failed Nasdaq’s minimum bid rule and remains at risk of immediate delisting if compliance lapses.
- Dilution pressure: Large issuances of common stock to satisfy preferred-stock redemptions have materially pressured the common share price.
- Liquidity and market impact: Reverse split may decrease liquidity, could fail to sustain a $1.00 bid price, and may magnify percent declines if price falls post-split.
- Potential anti-takeover effect: The increase in authorized but unissued shares post-split could be used in ways that dilute existing holders, though Board disclaims such intent.
Insights
TL;DR Board seeks flexible charter amendments to address listing risk; standard corporate governance trade-offs apply.
The Board is requesting broad authority to choose among multiple reverse split ratios through September 23, 2026, a governance approach that prioritizes operational flexibility to address Nasdaq compliance risk. The request is procedurally routine for companies facing sustained low share prices; the Company discloses potential anti-takeover side effects and the Board states it does not intend to use the increased unissued authorization for defensive measures. Material disclosures about voting mechanics, fractional-share cash-outs, appraisal rights and tax considerations are included and align with typical Delaware/Maryland practice.
TL;DR Reverse-split proposal addresses listing risk but underlying dilution from preferred redemptions remains a substantive negative.
The proposals are explicitly defensive: they aim to raise per-share price to meet Nasdaq’s $1.00 minimum bid rule. The filing confirms that significant issuances of common stock to satisfy preferred-stock redemptions (priced by a 20-day VWAP formula) have pressured the share price. While a reverse split can mechanically increase the quoted price, it does not change fundamentals and may reduce liquidity and increase volatility. The Company acknowledges no assurance of sustained compliance and cites realistic adverse consequences, including potential delisting and constrained financing options.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 700
Dallas, Texas 75225
Chief Executive Officer
| | TIME: | | | 9:00 a.m., Pacific Time | |
| | DATE: | | | September 23, 2025 | |
| | PLACE: | | | The special meeting (the “Special Meeting”) of the stockholders of Creative Media & Community Trust Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), will be held by means of remote communication via a live webcast accessible at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CMCT2025SM2. You can attend the Special Meeting online and vote your shares during the online meeting. You will also be able to participate in the Special Meeting on the day of the meeting by joining the Special Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CMCT2025SM2 and entering your 16 digit control number. Electronic entry to the Special Meeting will begin 15 minutes prior to the Special Meeting at 8:45 a.m., Pacific Time, on the day of the meeting. Please have your 16 digit control available, which is found on your proxy card or voting instruction form. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual meeting page. | |
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
Stockholder Matters
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Common Stock
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Series A
Preferred Stock |
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Series A1
Preferred Stock |
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Name of Beneficial Owner
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No. of Shares
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Percent of
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No. of
Shares |
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Percent of
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No. of
Shares |
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Percent of
Class |
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David Thompson
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| | | | 102 | | | | | | * | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
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Barry N. Berlin
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| | | | 113 | | | | | | * | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
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Richard Ressler
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| | | | 49,908(1)(2) | | | | | | 6.3% | | | | | | 568,681 | | | | | | 14.1% | | | | | | 36,663 | | | | | | 0.4% | | |
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Avraham Shemesh
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| | | | 49,593 (1)(3) | | | | | | 6.3% | | | | | | 568,681 | | | | | | 14.1% | | | | | | 36,663 | | | | | | 0.4% | | |
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Shaul Kuba
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| | | | 49,953 (1)(3) | | | | | | 6.3% | | | | | | 568,681 | | | | | | 14.1% | | | | | | 36,663 | | | | | | 0.4% | | |
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Douglas Bech
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| | | | 8,993 | | | | | | 1.1% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
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Marcie Edwards
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| | | | 8,877 | | | | | | 1.1% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
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John Hope Bryant
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| | | | 8,819 | | | | | | 1.1% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
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Elaine Wong
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| | | | 8,850 | | | | | | 1.1% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
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Directors and Executive Officers as a group (9 persons)
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| | | | 86,032 | | | | | | 10.9% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
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Common Stock
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Series A
Preferred Stock |
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Series A1
Preferred Stock |
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
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No. of Shares
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Percent of
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No. of
Shares |
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Percent of
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No. of Shares
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Percent of
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Richard Ressler(1)
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| | | | 49,908(2) | | | | | | 6.3% | | | | | | 568,681 | | | | | | 14.1% | | | | | | 36,663 | | | | | | 0.4% | | |
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Avraham Shemesh(1)
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| | | | 49,593(3) | | | | | | 6.3% | | | | | | 568,681 | | | | | | 14.1% | | | | | | 36,663 | | | | | | 0.4% | | |
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Shaul Kuba(1)
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| | | | 49,593(3) | | | | | | 6.3% | | | | | | 568,681 | | | | | | 14.1% | | | | | | 36,663 | | | | | | 0.4% | | |
| | ATTEST: | | | CREATIVE MEDIA & COMMUNITY TRUST CORPORATION | |
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| | ATTEST: | | | CREATIVE MEDIA & COMMUNITY TRUST CORPORATION | |
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| | ATTEST: | | | CREATIVE MEDIA & COMMUNITY TRUST CORPORATION | |
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FAQ
What proposals is CMCT (CMCT) asking stockholders to approve?
Why is CMCT proposing a reverse stock split?
When and how will the CMCT special meeting be held?
How many CMCT shares were outstanding as of the record date?
What are the main risks if CMCT’s stock is delisted from Nasdaq?