claim: The Atlanta metropolitan area spans 39 counties in north Georgia.
evidence: A fairness opinion is a professional evaluation by an investment bank or other third party as to whether the terms of a merger , acquisition , buyback , spin-off , or privatization are fair .. professional. professional. evaluation. evaluation. investment bank. investment bank. merger. merger. acquisition. Takeover. buyback. Share repurchase. spin-off. Corporate spin-off. privatization. Private equity. fair. Equity ( law ). It is rendered for a fee .. fee. fee. They are typically issued when a public company is being sold , merged or divested of all or a substantial division of their business .. They can also be required in private transactions not involving a company that is traded on a public exchange , as well as in circumstances other than mergers , such as a corporation exchanging debt for equity .. Some of the specific functions of a fairness opinion are to aid in decision-making , mitigate risk , and enhance communication .