The BDA’s most recent episode of Bonding Time features a discussion with Emily Brock of the Government Finance Officers Association. The podcast was led by Brett Bolton of the BDA and covers:
Bond Dealers of America
September 22, 2023
In this Timely Accounting Discussion, we focus on how to account for prepayments as they apply to lease and SBITA arrangements. This quick overview will show the effect prepayments have on lease/subscription liabilities and right-to-use assets, and show example journal entries.
The CDFA National Development Finance Summit brings together leaders and dealmakers in the development finance industry to discuss best practices, trends, and project financing solutions. Join us in Philadelphia to be a part of the conversation, we can’t wait to see you!
Click here to learn more and to register.
September 20, 2023 | 1 pm – 3 pm ET
Governments that issue debt have numerous federal laws that they must abide by at the time of issuance and for the lifetime of the bonds. That includes various provisions in tax law.
This course will provide an overview of tax laws related to municipal bonds, and the responsibilities of issuers in this process. These include understanding the issue price of the bonds, calculating arbitrage and arbitrage rebate rules, yield restrictions of bond proceeds investments, private use limits, record retention guidelines, and the IRS’s Tax Exempt Bond audit program.
The course will also provide tools on how issuers can best comply with these rules, and the types of conversations they should have with bond counsel about these matters.
Click here to learn more and to register.
On November 16 & 17, the NFMA will offer the Introduction to Municipal Bond Credit Analysis at the Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square. This program is designed for new analysts, sales and suport personnel, and others who wish to expand their knowledge of municipal bond credit analysis.
Click here to view the program.
Click here to register.
Join us for GFOA’s Alliance for Excellence in School Budgeting Fall Meeting on November 2-3 in Chicago, Illinois. Attendees will explore topics including GFOA’s Smarter School Spending Framework, academic return on investment, optimizing scheduling strategies, integrating a logic model into your budgeting approach, and more.
This episode features information on the opioid settlement payments that many governments are receiving. Watch as we discuss how this money should be accounted for.
[08/21/23]
November 16-17, 2023 – Los Angeles and Virtual Webinar
A Comprehensive Overview of Post-Issuance Compliance and Secondary Market Disclosure Rules and Regulations for 501(c)(3) Organizations and State and Local Government Issuers Who Utilize Tax-Exempt Financing.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Municipal bonds are the crucial tool cities use to finance essential projects — accounting for nearly 70% of all financing for public infrastructure like roads and water and sewer utilities. On Monday, September 25 at 2:00 p.m. ET, join NLC, Build America Mutual and market experts for an update on trends in the market and what city leaders should focus on when preparing to sell bonds.
The session will also highlight recent innovative transactions, like how the State of Connecticut was able to save $200 million when it set up a trust fund to provide “baby bonds” for all Medicaid-eligible babies born in the State.
Click here to register.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will someday be ubiquitous in government operations. Should workers be threatened? No. What’s most important is to understand what AI is, the benefits, and the limits. Join this webinar, October 12, to hear from leading experts from Microsoft, Rutgers, and the City of Columbus on how they utilize AI. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of AI, why human interaction is still important, and how successful organizations in the future will manage AI to make better decisions.
Registration is free for GFOA members! Join us online for GFOA’s 5th Annual MiniMuni Conference on October 11–13. Engage with experienced practitioners and regulators on topics influencing municipal issuers. Whether it’s ESG considerations or the Financial Data Transparency Act, participants will leave with a comprehensive grasp of the market’s most urgent concerns.
THU, 24 AUG | 1 PM ET
Governments are subject to financial shocks, including natural catastrophes, recessions, and more. Financial reserves (a “rainy day” fund) are essentially a form of self-insurance that governments use to buffer themselves against these risks. But what are the risks governments should be concerned about and what size of reserves are appropriate to those cover risks?
Speakers in this session will answer these questions and more. Participants will leave with resources and strategies to apply risk-aware and risk-savvy thinking to reserves in their own organizations.
Click here to learn more and to register.
The NFMA will hold an Advanced Seminar on Transportation in Chicago on October 12 & 13. This event is open to members and non-members, but not the press.
To view the program, click here.
To register, click here.
August 15, 16, 17 2023 | 1-4 p.m. ET
Details:
Governmental entities have been using debt for over 200 years to fund public infrastructure such as government buildings, water distribution systems, schools, police stations, and many other projects that require significant capital investment.
Debt issuance is a significant undertaking for governments, whether an entity frequently or infrequently issues debt. This includes engaging in a great deal of work prior to the transaction and ongoing for the lifetime of the bond. Issuers must manage the financing, make decisions about the structure and type of debt being issued, understand market conditions and the timing of the issuance, select and manage a number of external professionals during this process, and execute all post issuance debt management requirements. This course will provide an overview of the debt issuance process and explain the obligations finance officers must address when taking on a bond issuance, with a focus on GFOA’s best practices as guidance.
Who Will Benefit: CFO/Finance Director, Controller, Budget Manager, Treasurer, Debt Manager
Learning Objectives:
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to:
Member Price: $315.00
Non-member Price: $630.00
Our latest Timley Accounting Discussion video covers legacy lease accounting, including lease assets vs. leased assets, leases in the calculation of net investment in capital assets, and accounting and financial reporting for contracts that transfer ownership.
Register now for this three-day virtual event, October 11-13. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from leading experts, seasoned practitioners, and regulators on a host of issues that impact municipal issuers.
Click here to learn more and to register.
NEW YORK , July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — XBRL US announced that they will be hosting a one-day conference, GovFin 2023: Empowering Governments, Modernizing Reporting, in Washington, DC , on Thursday, November 9, 2023. This educational forum will focus on the passage of legislation including the Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA), and the Grants Reporting Efficiency and Transparency (GREAT) Act, and on how governments can explore what data standards are, and how they improve efficiencies and modernize reporting. The conference will be hosted by KPMG at their offices at 1801 K Street NW, in Washington, DC .
“This is a critical year for standardized data reporting for government entities and U.S. regulators given the recent legislation and an increasing demand for better, more actionable data from analysts, academic researchers, and policy-setters,” said Christine Kuglin , conference Chairperson and Professor, Daniels College of Business, University of Denver . “Government entities have much to gain from the innovation and modernization that these new standards can bring.”
The conference will feature case studies on federal standards programs implemented by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as well as local government case studies in Michigan and Colorado . Panel discussions and demonstrations will address legal entity identifiers and the mechanics of creating and using structured, standardized data. Regulators and standards organizations will discuss the municipal securities elements of the FDTA.
Speaker organizations confirmed to date include:
Click here to view the full agenda and register.
About XBRL US
XBRL US is the non-profit consortium for XBRL business reporting standards in the US and represents the business information supply chain. Its mission is to support the implementation of business reporting standards through the development of taxonomies for use by US public and private sectors, with a goal of interoperability between sectors, and promoting XBRL adoption through marketplace collaboration. XBRL US has built standards for government agencies including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Energy, as well as industry sponsored standards for surety insurance, municipal government reporting, and corporate actions. http://xbrl.us
July 27, 2023 | Chicago, IL
Click here to learn more and to register.
July 26, 2023 & July 27, 2023 | 1-4 p.m. ET
Click here to learn more and to register.
Oct 11-13 | Indian Wells
Click here to learn more and to register.
This year’s GAAP Update, November 2 with an encore presentation on December 14, will feature last-minute pointers on standards being implemented now, including Subscription-Based Information Technology, as well as important implementation information on GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, GASB 101, Compensated Absences, and the anticipated GASB 102, Risks and Uncertainties Disclosures.
July 20 – FDTA 101 will focus on the FDTA’s requirements, timelines, implementation, unknowns, and the role of standards bodies in the process. This webinar will also provide a grounding in FDTA terminology (i.e., machine-readable, taxonomy, data standards, non-proprietary, semantic meaning), why the terminology is so specific, and what that means for FDTA implementation and for data users.
August 3 – FDTA 201 will focus on potential benefits to the user community of harnessing the power of structured data required under the FDTA, the importance of NFMA community participation in the standards development process, and the perspectives of an issuer with experience in applying machine-readable data standards to financial statements.
FDTA 101 is open to all; FDTA 201 is open to NFMA members only.
To learn more and to register for FDTA 101, click here.
To learn more and to register for FDTA 201, click here.
9th annual event to feature expert presentations and discussions around water/wastewater utility finance, customer affordability, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, and much more The 2023 Water Finance Conference, an educational seminar exclusively for water utility finance professionals, is returning to Cleveland, Ohio.
JULY 6, 2023
GFOA’s week-long Leadership Academy, November 12-17, at the College of Charleston, provides senior public and government finance professionals an opportunity to bolster their leadership and management skills to better serve their communities. The deadline to apply is August 31.
GFOA is offering a series of CPE-accredited courses August 8-11, 2023 including: Overview of Grants Management,
Accounting for Capital Assets, Budget Analyst Training Academy, and ERP Readiness and System Selection.
Click here to learn more and to register.
June 20, 21 & 22 | 1-4 PM ET
Details:
Many finance officers have responsibility for payroll. With that comes responsibility for managing a process that accounts for approximately 85% of an organization’s operating budget, requires compliance with an ever changing set of state and federal legislative and regulatory requirements, is further complicated by unique collective bargaining requirements, and is critically important to each and every employee in the organization. And while just about every organization is able to manage these tasks routinely, there are often opportunities for significant improvements. This session will explore best practices in managing payroll, how to incorporate internal controls, use of technology, recommendations on dealing with an every changing set of compliance requirements.
The course will be taught as a mixture of presentation and open discussion. Panelists will include several consultants and service providers who work to drive efficiencies in payroll processing and can discuss common challenges that governments face, tools and techniques that can be applied, and innovative and new solutions that may be available from your technology partners.
Learning Objectives:
Click here to learn more and to register.
June 8, 2023 | 3 p.m.-4 p.m. ET
Details:
Periodically, government entities will need to authorize and issue debt for projects. In this session, we will discuss the basics for issuing debt for a unit of local government. During the entire debt issue process, finance officers will constantly communicate with various professionals, including bond counsels, municipal advisors, underwriters, and the rating agencies. Specifically, finance officers will be advised on how to structure the debt payments. In addition, these professionals will assist the finance officers in achieving the best credit rating possible. Such ratings will be beneficial when the bonds are sold by the government entity. Since the macroeconomic environment is constantly changing, government finance officers will always benefit from future learning opportunities related to issuing debt.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Need accounting help? We’re bringing in-person training back to Chicago in July with Advanced Governmental Accounting (July 18-19), Intermediate Governmental Accounting (July 25-26), and Accounting for Pensions and Other Post Employment Benefits (July 27).
Click here to learn more and to register.
The Webinar Subcommittee will present ETF Essentials for Muni Analysts on June 22. This webinar will include a discussion about how fixed income ETFs work, how they are used, their influence on market structure and how they telegraph market sentiment. NFMA members may register for free; non-members may attend for a $100 fee. Press is not permitted to attend.
To register, click here.
August 23-25 | Austin, Texas
Click here to learn more and to register.
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Date: Thursday, May 25, 2023
Time:
Zoom Meeting Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET
Location:
Zoom ONLY
Details:
Increased hydrological volatility has altered the landscape for western region water suppliers. Despite favorable 2023 conditions thus far, the Colorado River remains stressed, prompting potential unprecedented federal actions. This panel will explore potential water right resolutions and what the outcome could mean for water supply in California, Arizona, and Nevada. How will potentially shifting water allocations affect public finance credits in the region and how are highly rated managers responding?
Click here to learn more and to register.
July 16 – 19 | Wilmington, DE
Click here to learn more and to register.
Thursday, May 18, 2023 | 9:30 AM EDT – 10:30 AM EDT | The Brookings Institution
With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), funds are actively flowing into states and localities. That means the hard work now passes to cities, counties, and states to get the greatest value out of the new laws—but also puts the greatest pressure on officials outside Washington to come up with solutions.
On Thursday, May 18, Brookings Metro, as part of the national United for Infrastructure Week 2023, will host an event focused on the implementation challenges confronting states and communities. Speakers with expertise across multiple infrastructure sectors will address many of the fiscal, workforce, and equity concerns that public officials now face—and offer solutions to help overcome them.
Click here to learn more and to register.
GFOA is headed south for in-person training June 26-29 in New Orleans. Available classes include Accounting Academy, Revenue Policies, Overview of Public Procurement, and the Role of the Finance Officer in the Budget Process.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Communication is essential for developing a local government’s budget. Planning, strategizing, and negotiating are some of the most important skills that a finance officer must employ to develop and manage a budget effectively, and good communication is at the core of mastering these skills. This course, June 7-8, will explore the pros and cons of different communication tools, address public engagement, and explain how the typical budget hearing is an insufficient model for effective public engagement.
Tue, July 18 – Wed, July 19 | The Brookings Institution
The annual Municipal Finance Conference brings together academics, practitioners, issuers, and regulators to discuss recent research on municipal capital markets and state and local fiscal issues. The conference is a joint venture of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at Brookings, the Rosenberg Institute of Global Finance at the Brandeis International Business School, the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, and the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. The 2023 conference will be held primarily in person – there will be livestream options for remote viewers – on July 18 and 19 at Brookings Institution.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Energy as a Service (EaaS) transactions are a category of category of innovative delivery model transactions that focus on the design, construction, financing and long-term maintenance and operations of energy assets, central utility plants, and energy efficiency improvements, as well as energy production and distribution. The energy production can be traditional or renewable. This is a mechanism for large-facilities or campus owners to transfer the risk of delivering all of its heating, cooling, water, and energy operational services for a guaranteed level of service and energy savings to an expert that has the singular focus in delivering these types of projects for clients nationally and internationally.
This presentation focused on EaaS transactions for governmental issuers and nonprofit borrowers of tax-exempt bonds. There are a few types of transactions that are documented and allocate risks differently. The presentation described and compared the common legal or document structures used in the current market. The presentation also addressed a number of legal and practical issues relating to
Click here to view the webinar.
March.30.2023
Washington D.C., March 31, 2023 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today opened public registration for its Municipal Securities Disclosure Conference, which will be held on May 10, 2023, at the SEC’s headquarters. The conference, held in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation, will bring together a variety of municipal securities market participants, including issuers and investors, to discuss the state of disclosure in the municipal securities market.
Conference topics will include:
SEC Chair Gary Gensler, Commissioners Hester Peirce and Jaime Lizárraga, and staff from the Office of Municipal Securities (OMS), including Director Dave Sanchez, will participate in the conference.
OMS coordinates the SEC’s municipal securities oversight activities and administers the Commission’s rules pertaining to municipal securities brokers and dealers, municipal advisors, investors in municipal securities, and municipal issuers. OMS advises the Commission on policy matters relating to the municipal securities market and is responsible for policy development, coordination, and implementation of Commission initiatives to improve the municipal securities market. To register for the conference, and to learn more about the municipal securities market and the work of the Office of Municipal Securities, please visit OMS’s webpage.
Conference registration is open until May 5, 2023, and is subject to confirmation. For media inquiries regarding the conference, please contact SEC Public Affairs at news@sec.gov. For registration questions, please contact the Office of Municipal Securities at (202) 551-5680 or at municonference2023@sec.gov.
April 18, 2023 1-4 p.m. ET | April 19, 2023 1-4 p.m. ET
Details:
Fiscal distress can be caused by many factors, but in all cases, the finance officer must act to diagnose the cause, apply treatments, and work to restore fiscal sustainability. Whether your government finds itself in a budget crisis or is working towards preparing for the next recession, GFOA’s Fiscal First Aid research series, developed originally to help deal with the 2009 Great Recession and then refined through the pandemic offers several strategies to reduce budget expenses, create flexibility, and assess risk associated with different options with the goal of long-term sustainability. This course provides an overview of GFOA’s 12 step approach for addressing fiscal distress and outlines the steps finance officers should take to guide their organizations through times of fiscal uncertainty and budget shortfalls.
Who Will Benefit: CFO/Finance Director, Controller, Budget Manager, Budget Analyst
Learning Objectives:
Member Price: $210.00
Non-member Price: $420.00
April 11, 2023 | 1 pm – 3 pm ET
Details:
There are few projects that local governments will take on that reach the size, scope, and complexity of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation. Not only do ERP projects touch just about everything and everyone in the organization, they also can represent significant change for an organization. ERP projects are expensive requiring investments not only in dollars, but in time, creating the expectation that governments will see significant improvement in functionality, efficiency of operations, or best practice adoption as a result. Combine this with the fact that many governments only implement an ERP system once every 10-15 years and you can understand how ERP projects can be difficult.
GFOA has experience assisting hundreds of local governments with planning for, procuring, implementing, and assessing ERP systems. Fortunately, for governments planning on taking on an ERP project, many of the risks associated with ERP projects can be mitigated with planning, organized readiness activities, and project leadership. Using a request for proposal (RFP) for engaging the vendor community, encouraging competition, defining scope, and establishing procedures for accountability and risk mitigation is an essential component in the ramp up to an ERP project. However, GFOA also sees many organizations not take full advantage of the RFP process to set their project up for success.
This webinar will present best practices for developing an RFP for an ERP project and discuss how the RFP can be used as both a key milestone in the readiness process and as a guide for future planning. The instructor will present common mistakes you can avoid in developing your RFP and how to give yourself the best opportunity to find a qualified vendor and negotiate the best possible contract to deliver success in your ERP project,
Member Price: $85.00
Non-member Price: $160.00
May 16, 2023 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
Educational institutions consistently struggle to keep pace with facility maintenance, and charter schools especially have become innovative in developing capital planning strategies to meet contemporary building needs. During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, presenters will share how charter schools are partnering with private entities to use bond finance and public-private partnership approaches to better provide the facilities needed to support learning outcomes.
Webinar | April.04.2023 | 10am – 11am (Pacific Standard Time)
Join BLX and Orrick on April 4, 2023, for insight on recent tax-exempt bond compliance developments from experts in the public finance and municipal bond industry. Items to be discussed include: Washington update, rising interest rates: the implications for arbitrage rebate and the opportunities for investing bond proceeds, and IRS audit of tax-exempt bonds preparedness.
Participating in the webinar will be Ed Oswald from Orrick, Alan Bond, Amy Kron, and Sandee Stallings from BLX and Emily Brock from GFOA.
Make training a regular part of your organization’s post-issuance compliance program and join us for this educational event. CPE and CLE credits will be provided.
CLE Type: CPE and MCLE (pending in California)
CLE Credits Available: Y
March 13, 2023 | 1 PM – 2 PM ET
Details:
The calculation of net investment in capital assets has proven challenging to many governments because of the wide variety of transactions and other events that must be considered. This class will begin by providing participants with a conceptual understanding of net investment in capital assets as a classification of net position in multiple reporting units presented in financial statements and annual comprehensive financial reports prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Then, those concepts will be applied to example facts and circumstances that are faced by preparers of GAAP-based state and local government financial statements.
Learning Objectives:
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to identify:
Click here to learn more and to register.
March 30th, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST
Neal Pandozzi, Andrew Stern
Bowditch & Dewey
The newly-enacted Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA) has the potential to significantly change the format currently used by issuers and conduit borrowers in submitting financial information to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB).
How much extra time, resources and money will governmental issuers and conduit borrowers [e.g., 501(c)(3) corporations] need in order to comply with the new reporting standards? The jury is still out, but the FDTA’s impact could be significant.
Join Neal Pandozzi and Andrew Stern from Bowditch’s Public Finance team as they offer their insight into the FDTA’s requirements, timeline and potential challenges relative to the new financial reporting filing requirements, including:
Register now to experience a day in the life of a finance officer.
July 10-14, 2023 |. 10 Sessions | A Maximum of 15 CPE Credits
A finance officer needs a broad range of both technical and leadership skills to navigate the complex world of local government finance. Strong financial management requires competencies in accounting, budgeting, treasury management, procurement, and risk management, in addition to an ability to communicate, collaborate with others, lead teams, and play a role on a team responsible for building a thriving community. GFOA’s 2023 Virtual Forum provides an opportunity for those new to government or those with career aspirations of obtaining a leadership position in the field to experience a day in the life of a finance officer.
Over five days, GFOA will present ten sessions that touch on topics a finance officer would likely face in their role. Each session will leverage GFOA’s Financial Foundations Framework, Code of Ethics, and suite of best practices to provide additional resources. Attend this virtual event to discover how you can improve your ability to:
Click here for FAQs.
Click here to register.
Wednesday, February 22
Session 1: 4:30pm HKT/ 8:30am GMT | Session 2: 11:00am EST/ 4:00pm GMT
Challenging macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical tensions and political polarisation are contributing to increased short-term scepticism about the importance of ESG considerations by corporations, investors and governments, but the long-term outlook for sustainable finance remains solid, according Sustainable Fitch’s ESG outlook for 2023.
Join Sustainable Fitch’s Research analysts on February 22nd as they share their insights on key ESG market trends for 2023 and latest market developments. We will run two sessions to serve the global audience.
The key topics/trends to be discussed will include:
We look forward to your participation to either of the sessions.
The Education Committee of the NFMA is happy to announce the opening of registration for the 2023 Annual Conference!
The NFMA will hold its 2023 Annual Conference at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on May 16 – 19. In addition to a strong slate of panels, the Conference Planning Committee is excited about invited keynote speakers to be announced shortly.
To view the program, click here. To register, click here.
The Federal Funds Fair is an opportunity for members and interested finance professionals to learn about federal grants available to state and local governments. Hosted by speakers from federal agencies issuing state and local grants, attendees will get the chance to become familiar with different federal grant programs that could benefit their communities.
Ready for a deep dive into governmental accounting? This in-person training beginning March 21, is designed to provide participants with a solid working knowledge of specialized accounting and financial reporting used by state and local governments for selected topics through lecture, discussion, and exercises.
GFOA recommends that governments perform ongoing cash forecasting to ensure that they have sufficient cash liquidity to meet disbursement requirements and limit idle cash. However, GFOA research indicates that many governments fail to meet the standards outlined in this best practice. This preconference seminar, Friday, May 19, will provide an overview of cash flow forecasting, discuss how to conduct both simple and complex cash flow analysis, and outline the tools available to help governments with this important task.
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern
Food system businesses need access to capital at an affordable price, while investors expect a return on their investments. Few financing tools meet both of these needs as well as bonds, a longstanding staple of public development finance that offers flexible, low-cost capital for the borrower and tax-free returns for the investor. During this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, we take a deeper look at a method of financing that has been building infrastructure, industry, and agriculture for over a century and explore its applications within the food system.
Moderator:
Angela Blatt, Director, Research & Technical Assistance, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker:
Rodney Wendt, Executive Director, Washington Economic Development Finance Authority
Click here to register.
February 15, 2023 | 1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET
Details:
Accounting and financial reporting form an essential component of the informational infrastructure that undergirds state and local government finance. Decisions are only as good as the information that supports them. This training provides an introduction designed to equip participants to better understand state and local government financial reports.
Who Will Benefit: Government professionals with a limited or no background in accounting and financial reporting.
Learning Objectives:
Those completing this seminar will be able to:
Member Price: $85.00
Non-member Price: $170.00
April 26-28, 2023 | San Diego, California
This meeting focuses on budget strategies and state fiscal conditions and will allow attendees the opportunity to network with colleagues from across the country. Session topics will include:
Click here to learn more and to register.
In-Person Training
February 27 – March 2 2023 | 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. PT
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach 1107 Jamboree Road
Newport Beach, California
Details:
Accountants and auditors new to the public sector must immediately face the daunting challenge of familiarizing themselves with the highly specialized rules, guidelines, and practices applicable to state and local governments. This intensive four-day workshop, intended for those who already possess at least a basic knowledge of private-sector accounting, combines lecture, discussion, and exercises to help newcomers make this difficult, but essential, transition.
Who Will Benefit: Accountants and auditors new to the public sector
Learning Objectives:
Those who successfully complete this seminar should obtain a solid understanding of each of the following:
Member Price: $1197.00
Non-member Price: $1633.50
Click here to learn more and to register.
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Rural and low-income communities continue to face challenges financing broadband despite increased investment nationwide to address the connectivity gap. Public-private partnership (P3) structures are becoming more common as an approach that enables broadband expansion in the places that need it most. During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series, experts will highlight the resources available for financing broadband, discuss navigating the use of P3 for broadband, and share first-hand knowledge of their successes utilizing P3 financing for broadband projects.
Click here to register.
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Pandemic recovery, new federal legislation, and increased interest rates have touched all parts of the national economy, including the U.S. municipal bond market. As we enter into 2023, experts will reflect on recent changes in the bond market to forecast the challenges and opportunities ahead. During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, panelists will discuss bond market trends to help investors and communities make informed decisions in the year to come.
Click here to register.
The BDA’s most recent episode of Bonding Time features a discussion with Emily Brock of the Government Finance Officers Association.
The podcast was led by Brett Bolton of the BDA and covers:
Bond Dealers of America
December 21, 2022
Attend this eLearning event January 9 and 13 to gain a basic understanding of the Federal grants process for state and local governments and applicable GFOA Best Practices. This course will include current Federal grant programs such as American Rescue Plan Act funding and ongoing programs such as Community Development Block Grants.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Portland, here we come! Registration is open for #GFOA2023 in Portland Oregon, May 21-24, at the Oregon Convention Center. Don’t miss this opportunity to interact with the largest gathering of government finance officers across North America. This year’s conference will feature CPE-accredited sessions that address current issues facing government finance officers and communities, inspiring keynotes, interactive discussions and networking groups with your peers. Register now to take advantage of the early pricing discount. We can’t wait to see you in Portland.
Click here to learn more and to register.
December 7, 2022 – 3 p.m.-4 p.m. ET
Details:
Property tax is the most important source of revenue for local governments. Given that local governments are defined by their geographical boundaries, their property tax revenues are a function of the value of the land within their jurisdiction, and how it is used. Local governments need to take a closer look at how the land in their community is valued and if they are optimizing land usage so that property tax revenues align with the costs of development.
Local assessors are charged with determining the accuracy and fairness of a community’s property tax. Property taxes are often regressive with lower priced properties assessed at a higher value relative to their sale price than more highly valued homes. This means that lower value properties bear a disproportionate burden on the owners of lower value homes. This webinar will explore potential explanations for this pattern as well as possible policy solutions. It will also delve into how local governments can rethink their current land usage patterns, especially ways in which land use planning and finances can be used to boost the revenue productivity of the tax base. Please join us to hear from Chris Berry about issues with the way property tax assessments create persistent inequities, as well as from Joe Minicozzi about the underlying structural problems in the way local governments align land usage and their revenue needs.
Learning Objectives:
Understand how land value assessments can impact the fairness and accuracy of property valuations and taxes
Explore an economic financial analysis of how the pricing structure works how this creates inherent inequities
Gain an understanding of how land usage patterns impact property tax revenue generation and how they can be improved
Click here to learn more and to register.
December 12, 2022 – 1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET
Details:
This webinar will focus on the accounting and financial reporting for the implementation and variations to lease contracts under Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 87, Leases. We will walk through two examples of lease contracts and discuss the calculations and financial reporting for each variation.
Learning Objectives:
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to calculate the lease assets and liabilities, and prepare the required journal entries to record the following, from the point of view of lessee and lessor governments:
Click here to learn more and to register.
Webinar | December.07.2022 | 2:00pm – 3:30pm (Pacific Standard Time)
Webinar topics will include both federal tax matters, including related party issues, conversion extensions, reissuances, and post issuance compliance, and Oregon law issues, including first-lien and priority requirements, affordability covenants and considerations in combining tax-exempt bonds and public gap-funding sources.
We will also discuss Oregon’s projected private activity bond volume cap short-fall, OHCS’s priorities for volume cap awards and opportunities to utilize tax-exempt 501(c)(3) bonds to finance projects. The presentation will include a panel discussion, as well as a chance for participants to submit questions.
Speakers:
For more information, please contact Sharlene Alim or Annie Schmaeling.
Wednesday January 18, 2023 | 9:00am – 12:00pm EST
Please join us for our Virtual North America Credit Outlook Conference.
Credit markets today are at a crossroads, as inflation, geopolitical tensions, slowing economies and more contribute to ongoing rate increases, supply chain disruptions and energy shortages – challenging both sovereigns and corporates.
What should we expect for 2023, and how will global markets contend with pressure on demand and costs, vulnerable property markets, fluctuating commodity prices and diminishing financial profile strength?
Register now to secure your place! Additional sector outlook webinars will be announced shortly.
Please contact claire.kelly@thefitchgroup.com with questions.
November 21, 2022 | 2 p.m.-3 p.m. ET
Local governments are defined by their geographic boundaries. Property taxes are a function of the assessed value of the land within the jurisdiction. Sales tax revenues are often partially determined by how many and the types of merchants in the jurisdiction. Often, when considering a new development, the primary concerns are remaining in compliance with laws, administering building codes, meeting demand for new development, in addition fulfilling mobility, parking and greenway goals. However, many governments do not fully explore the connection between their land use choices and the long-term financial health of their locality from a revenue or cost perspective. Property tax revenue is typically not structured to cover ongoing capital costs which creates an unsustainable funding structure. As a result, many local governments have difficulties funding infrastructure maintenance and replacement.
In this webinar we will explore this relationship by examining some of the key components to creating more fiscally productive and sustainable land use patterns. This begins with rethinking current revenue structures prior to new development by analyzing available data. We will offer some ways to more effectively manage land uses for positive revenue impacts. Please join us to hear from Joe Minicozzi about the geospatial implications of different revenue streams by examining local tax and land use policies. We will learn how these concepts have been applied from Justin Weiss in Fate, TX and how they created a sustainable growth solution by developing their own simple fiscal calculator to assess new developments.
Click here to learn more and to register.
November 28, 29 & 30, 2022 | Noon-3 p.m. ET
Communication is essential for developing a local government’s budget. Planning, strategizing, and negotiating are some of the most important skills that a finance officer must employ to develop and manage a budget effectively, and good communication is at the core of mastering these skills. Throughout the budget process, finance officers are responsible for communicating complex financial and programmatic information to many different stakeholder groups, including executive managers, elected officials, employees, advocates, and constituents. The reasons you communicate with each of these groups can differ, and each group’s understanding of the nuances of local government finance can vary as well. This course will give you the knowledge to help you determine what and how to communicate to each group. We will explore the pros and cons of different communication tools. The course will also address public engagement and explain how the typical budget hearing is an insufficient model for effective public engagement.
Please note that this course will include lecture and small group discussions. Course attendees are strongly encouraged to have a microphone and web camera enabled in order to fully participate in the course.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 5:30 PM to Friday, December 02, 2022 11:00 AM PST
Registration is now open for the CSMA Fall Conference! The event will take place from Wednesday, November 30th to Friday December 2nd at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California.
Click here for the program, which includes the link for hotel reservations. Click here to register.
Maximizing ARP/ESSER federal funding is a big topic among school districts. How are you spending the money? What challenges do you face? Attend this year’s Alliance for Excellence in School Budgeting annual meeting December 1-2, in Chicago, Illinois, to discuss more. This year’s meeting will also cover best practices in school budgeting, better communication with stakeholders, developing robust goals and strategies, and more.
November 15, 16 & 17 2022 | 1-3:45 p.m. ET
Details:
This course offers attendees a comprehensive agenda of the concepts and techniques needed to effectively manage their investment portfolios. This two-day course highlights the importance for governmental entities to have a robust investment policy and corresponding procedures, and brings attention to GFOA’s best practices related to investing. Through interactive activities and classroom presentations, attendees will gain a better understanding of the various elements of an investment program, whether the portfolio is managed internally or externally. Topics covered include: cash flow forecasting, hiring and managing external professionals, types of investments commonly used in the public sector, investment strategies for liquidity and core investment funds, managing risks, benchmarking, and reporting.
Who Will Benefit: CFO/Finance Director, Treasurer
Learning Objectives:
Member Price: $315.00
Non-member Price: $630.00
Tuesday, November 29, 2023 | 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT | 45 Minutes
As three-quarters of the infrastructure built in the U.S. is funded by state and local governments and the municipal bond market they tap to finance it, there are long-term headwinds challenging its future, including macroeconomic issues, the rise in the work-from-home environment and climate change.
Join The Bond Buyer’s executive editor, Kyle Glazier, and Arizent’s senior industry analyst, Michael Moeser, for an exclusive VIP member discussion on how cities and towns are being affected by policy decisions in a national infrastructure plan, climate change and the biggest challenges facing the industry in 2023 and over the next five years.
Gain perspective on these key questions:
November 15, 2022 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Funding Childcare Facilities
Many low and middle-income communities have a challenging time when it comes to accessing affordable childcare. However, there are a growing number of finance programs available for childcare facilities around the country and a variety of development finance tools that can be used to help alleviate this issue. During this installment of the CDFA// BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, presenters will look across the development finance spectrum for ways to invest in childcare facilities with tools like bonds, RLFs, tax credits, and more. Experts will also highlight various case studies that have successfully utilized these tools.
Moderator(s)
Oreste Casciaro, Vice President | Relationship Management, The Bank of New York Mellon
Speaker(s)
Surabhi Dabir, Senior Advisor, Community Facilities, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Cindy Larson, National Program Director, Child Care & Early Education, Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Online Webinar | November.09.2022 | 11am – 12pm (Pacific Standard Time)
This webinar will cover various topics related to bank lending to and direct purchases of debt obligations issued by governmental entities and nonprofit corporations. The topics include:
Local governments should do better at engaging citizens in the budget process. The Rethinking Public Engagement Summit, November 7-10, will explore design principles for improving engagement and foster an exchange of ideas from speakers across the country.
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
Investing in clean energy is a critical component of building a sustainable economy and results in a wide range of benefits: increased grid reliability, lower long-term energy costs, better air quality, job opportunities, and more. Many financing tools are available for state, local, and tribal governments to develop clean energy strategies and achieve environmental goals. During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, experts will provide an overview of the resources and financing tools – such as PACE financing, green bonds, and energy tax credits – that can help communities seize the benefits of investing in clean energy.
Local governments should do better at engaging citizens in the budget process. The Rethinking Public Engagement Summit, November 7-10, will explore design principles for improving engagement and foster an exchange of ideas from speakers across the country.
October 7, 2022 | 2 pm – 3 pm ET
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted local tax revenues in a number of ways. Reduced consumption of goods and services has led to a decline in sales taxes in many areas, which often represents a sizable proportion of local government revenues. Additionally, hotels are experiencing more vacancies than ever which means less hotel and lodging taxes. Many economists argue these are temporary changes and both economies should mostly rebound in the near future, but it presents a difficult conundrum to local governments in the interim. In this webinar you’ll learn various approaches to weathering the current dip in sales and hotel taxes and how to be better prepared for similar future economic downturns.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Currently, U.S. Senators are considering including the bill (S. 4295) as part of the federal defense authorization legislation that must be taken up before the end of the year. GFOA has long advocated for governments to demonstrate transparency and accountability by making financial information readily accessible to the public, but hastily passing this bill may create data standards that opens the door to directing the use of specific technologies for reporting governmental financial information.
The NFMA will once again offer its Introduction to Municipal Bond Credit Analysis in person!
This year’s course will be held at the Sofitel Chicago on November 17 & 18.
To view the program, click here. To register, click here.
The NFMA will hold an Advanced Seminar on Public Power in Denver, the home of its newest society, MARMOT, on November 3 & 4. To view the program, click here. To register for this event, click here.
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern
Experts will join this session to provide a detailed review of the recently released guidance on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Presentations will cover the steps to apply and provide an overall timeline for when communities can expect to access funding. Presentations will also take a closer look at the top five funding categories to see how dollars are beginning to flow to these project areas. This session will continue the discussion around the utilization of IIJA funds in coordination with local funding through bond finance, tax credit programs, tax increment financing, and other development finance approaches to cover long-term project costs.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
Investing in clean energy is a critical component of building a sustainable economy and results in a wide range of benefits: increased grid reliability, lower long-term energy costs, better air quality, job opportunities, and more. Many financing tools are available for state, local, and tribal governments to develop clean energy strategies and achieve environmental goals. During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, experts will provide an overview of the resources and financing tools – such as PACE financing, green bonds, and energy tax credits – that can help communities seize the benefits of investing in clean energy.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Details:
As finance officers deal with financial challenges related to the COVID-19 recession and participate in broader conversations on the role of government and its ability to provide services equitably, a local government’s ability to budget will be critically important. This virtual training will emphasize the fundamental components of a local government’s budget policies and processes along with best practices and techniques required for effective budgeting. Each training module/day will focus on a specific topic and feature both presentation and interactive discussion/exercises. Attendees will go through the basic structures of a local government budget, learn how budgeting can be better used to promote long-term planning, process improvement, and community outcomes. In addition, the course will cover specific techniques for developing the budget, communicating budget messages, and identifying strategies for approaching cut back budgeting to deal with the current crisis.
Who Will Benefit: Finance and budget professionals desiring to learn budget fundamentals in light of COVID-19
Learning Objectives
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to:
Member Price: $490.00
Non-member Price: $980.00
Click here to learn more and to register.
September 14, 2022 | Columbus, OH
We are excited to bring back the CDFA Ohio Financing Roundtable on September 14, 2022! During this special one-day conference, we will share knowledge of best practices within the state’s development finance industry. This event will feature economic development finance experts from around the state discussing the latest and most innovative development finance tools, authorities, resources, and approaches, and how these can affect the Ohio economy going forward. After what seems like an eternity apart, we are ready to get back together in-person for the networking opportunities we have all been missing. Space is limited, so be sure to register soon and grab your seat at the roundtable. See you there!
Click here to learn more and to register.
Charlotte, NC | Nov. 3-4, 2022
Featured Topics
Click over to the Agenda for more information!
Click here to register.
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Eastern
Recently, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, historic legislation that appropriates billions of dollars for federal loan and grant programs to fight climate change by investing in green resources. Join CDFA and special guest speakers on Wednesday, August 31, from 4:00-5:00 PM, as they discuss how the Act will impact you and the communities you serve!
Click here to learn more and to register.
September 23, 2022 | 1-3 p.m. ET
Issuers of municipal securities have numerous disclosure responsibilities related to their bond transactions. This includes mandated filings of annual financial information and material event notices in the MSRB’s EMMA system, and other types of voluntary disclosures. Industry experts will discuss these issues as well as recent SEC activities related to disclosure. A review of GFOA’s best practices and the importance of developing and maintaining disclosure policies and procedures will also be addressed.
Click here to learn more and to register.
The 2022 California Economic Summit is coming to Bakersfield on October 27-28.
The Summit’s bipartisan network of business, equity, environmental and civic organizations is unique in championing solutions that meet the triple bottom line — balancing equity, environmental sustainability and economic growth.
THE EVENT
Produced by California Forward in partnership with the California Stewardship Network, the Summit influences CA FWD’s ongoing movement to make the government and economy work for everyone. The two-day Summit is designed to create a shared economic agenda known as the Roadmap to Shared Prosperity and strengthen the Summit network, setting the stage for collective action in 2023.
OCTOBER 27, 2022
Interactive in-person plenary and work group sessions to advance Summit goals — along with receptions, regional tours and artistic performances
OCTOBER 28, 2022
Dynamic plenary sessions featuring keynote speakers, state policy leaders, regional business and civic leaders on critical issues facing California
Click here to learn more and to register.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022 – 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern
The CDFA Federal Financing Webinar Series is an exclusive, six-part online offering that will convene finance experts from several federal agencies to discuss the variety of federal programs available to restore local economies, preserve small businesses, invest in our communities, and protect our environment.
In the last year, two major pieces of legislation have changed the federal funding landscape with new programs being created through the American Rescue Plan and the Investment in Infrastructure Jobs Act. During each webinar, CDFA will feature timely and in-depth conversations with federal financing experts discussing new programs, updates to existing programs, and the latest strategies for applying and deploying funding. Representatives from various agencies, including DOC, EDA, NIST, HUD, EPA, DOE, USDA, Treasury, and SBA will join us for these discussions.
This series complements the information featured in the CDFA Federal Financing Clearinghouse, provides an in-depth discussion about key federal programs, and offers new and innovative ideas for how communities can utilize federal financing programs. As new programs emerge, they will be highlighted throughout the series.
CDFA maintains strong relationships with federal agencies, giving attendees unprecedented access to the inner-workings of the government’s economic development finance activities. We leverage these relationships to offer insider access to the newest initiatives from every agency and help communities prepare for funding and submit applications.
To participate, register for a single webinar or the entire series, and CDFA will send you reminders for each webinar as they are hosted. All webinars will be recorded and presentation materials will be shared with the attendees for long-term viewing.
Click here to learn more and to register.
September 14, 2022 – Columbus, OH
We are excited to bring back the CDFA Ohio Financing Roundtable on September 14, 2022! During this special one-day conference, we will share knowledge of best practices within the state’s development finance industry. This event will feature economic development finance experts from around the state discussing the latest and most innovative development finance tools, authorities, resources, and approaches, and how these can affect the Ohio economy going forward. After what seems like an eternity apart, we are ready to get back together in-person for the networking opportunities we have all been missing. Space is limited, so be sure to register soon and grab your seat at the roundtable. See you there!
Click here to learn more and to register.
September 21-22, 2022 | Daily: 12:00 – 5:00 PM Eastern
Overview
The Advanced Tax Credit Course will take a deeper dive into the use and applicability of tax credits. Building on the basic structure of tax credits covered in the Intro to Tax Credit Course expert speakers will discuss details of New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) and Low- Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) through the lens of all parties and how they come together on a given transaction. Case studies will be presented to illustrate on how tax credits work with other economic development tools such as bonds or loans.
This course will qualify for the CDFA Training Institute’s Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Join us online, and start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
Click here to learn more and to register.
August 10, 11 & 13 2022 | 1 – 3:45 p.m. ET
Details:
This course, focuses on GFOA’s best practices in treasury management. Participants will be able to understand the importance of governments developing and having policies and procedures related to their cash management duties. This includes discussions on the payables and receivables functions, cash flow forecasting, banking services and fraud prevention. Attendees will be able to learn not only from the GFOA best practices and resources, but also the presentation of case studies, and interactions with course leaders and other participants.
Learning Objectives:
Become familiar with key practices related to treasury management
Lay the groundwork for developing their own appropriate policies and procedures for payables and receivables
Understand policies and procedures for determining and procuring banking services
Determine key internal controls policies necessary for fraud prevention in the Treasury office
Member Price: $315.00
Non-member Price: $630.00
Click here to learn more and to register.
August 9, 2022 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Applying for federal grants is a competitive process that requires a significant amount of time and planning prior to submission. It is essential for applicants to know how to navigate the available funding sources and prepare the necessary information to apply well in advance. This session will provide guidance and best practices on the various components of a federal grant application. This includes project planning and timeline development, budgeting, establishing partnerships, and conducting the background research and assessments necessary to justify the investment.
Presentations will cover what goes into the market and feasibility studies needed to assess potential outcomes of a specific infrastructure project, as well as different approaches to infrastructure analysis and financial modeling. The panel will also discuss how to identify other sources of funding to align with federal dollars, building on the previous sessions that review the development finance tools available for supporting infrastructure. As the IIJA encourages regional collaboration, speakers will touch on the role of key partners in the application process throughout the discussion and share how advisory services can assist in preparing for funding.
Click here to learn more and to register.
July 26 & July 27, 2022 | 1-4:30 p.m. CT
Prerequisite: Attendance of GFOA’s Accounting Academy, Government Accounting Intensive Series, an equivalent prog
Details: This seminar is designed to provide participants with a solid working knowledge of the specialized accounting and financial reporting used by state and local governments for selected topics.
Learning Objectives:
Those who successfully complete this series should gain a basic understanding of the appropriate governmental accounting and financial reporting related to:
Member Price: $525.00
Non-member Price: $740.00
Tuesday, July 19, 2022. | Tue 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Across the country, 18 states have legalized recreational marijuana, and this list is expected to continue growing in the years to come. As the cannabis industry expands, there is significant opportunity for the development finance sector to play a role in financing the production and processing infrastructure, dispensary facilities, and overall business development.
During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, we will explore the creative financing approaches that are providing capital to the emerging cannabis industry, and the economic benefits to states that have legalized the sale of recreational and medical marijuana.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Nov 3-4, 2022
A Comprehensive Overview of Post-Issuance Tax Law and SEC Secondary Market Disclosure for 501(c)(3) Organizations and State and Local Government Issuers Who Utilize Tax-Exempt Financing
The 2022 Workshop will again be a hybrid event, with in-person attendance at the Virgin Hotels Nashville and a livestream option. In-person attendance will be limited to 50 attendees, subject to the COVID-19 health protocols detailed below. In addition, through the livestream option, we will make available all content on a virtual platform with the ability for participants to interact with the presenters throughout the workshop. Both the in-person and livestream options will allow participants to replay any of the sessions for up to 30 days after the event.
Our desire is to host an event for the community that provides timely and relevant information while following recommended protocols and that is safe for both the attendees and for our team. The livestream option represents an exciting way for us to bring our content to a much broader audience.
Click here to learn more and to register.
July 28, 2022 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET
As the SEC, rating agencies, and investors turn their attention to ESG factors, shifting market expectations are creating new challenges and opportunities for healthcare systems. Join BLX, Orrick, and Healthcare Climate ActionWorks on July 28th for an interactive discussion on the evolving ESG landscape and its impact on the healthcare sector and health system leadership. Featuring legal, public finance, and climate strategy experts, this webinar will cover:
CPE and CLE credits will be available. For detailed information and to register, CLICK HERE.
July 18-20 2022 | 1-3:45 p.m. ET
When we talk about developing a budget that supports a thriving community, we often spend most of our time and energy thinking about the expenditure side of the equation: what are the local government’s priorities and goals and how much is it going to spend to achieve those goals? The revenue side of the equation is just as important to building a strong financial foundation that supports a thriving community, though. In this course, learn how to evaluate your local government’s revenue portfolio using the five pillars of the Financial Foundations Framework.
Please note that this course is not focused on the technical aspects of forecasting revenue.
Learning Objectives:
Member Price: $315.00
Non-member Price: $630.00
GFOA’s First Annual Fundamentals Virtual Forum will be held July 11-15, 2022. This virtual training opportunity is designed for new government finance staff who are either starting their career journey or transitioning to public finance from the private sector. Seven of the ten virtual forum sessions will be based on topics from GFOA’s Certified Public Finance Officers (CPFO) program, which is recognized throughout the industry as a major foundational component in the success of future leaders in government finance.
Member Price: $149.00
Non-member Price: $249.00
The annual Municipal Finance Conference brings together academics, practitioners, issuers, and regulators to discuss recent research on municipal capital markets and state and local fiscal issues. The conference is a joint venture of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at Brookings, the Rosenberg Institute of Global Finance at the Brandeis International Business School, the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, and the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.
The 2022 conference will be held virtually across three days and will be open to the public free of charge:
Click here to learn more and to register.
July 6, 7 & 8, 2022 – Noon-2 ET
Details:
Most, if not all, local governments produce a budget document every year as one of the final steps in their budget process, but do they know who is reading it and what they think of it? This course will encourage finance and budget staff to think critically about why their local government publishes a budget document and what they are communicating so that they can produce a document that is more useful for both internal and external stakeholders. By pointing out some of the limitations of the budget document as a communications tool, the course will also encourage attendees to think about how their organization’s budget document fits in with its broader budget communications strategy and how to develop other means of communication to complement the budget document.
Please note that this course is not focused on how to win the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Instructors may touch on the criteria for the Budget Award, but it will not be a major focus of the presentation.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Tuesday, June 28, 2022 |. 1:00pm – 2:30pm ET
Join us for an educational presentation of the latest practical application of yield restriction and arbitrage rebate rules. Be sure to register by 10:00am ET on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, and participate in a discussion of post-issuance considerations and rebate computations.
Expert speakers will present key findings, trends, and themes that explore highly detailed topics including:
Click here to register.
Date: June 28, 2022, 1:00pm – 2:30pm ET
NABL is hosting a “201 Webinar Series” on Arbitrage and Rebate covering a variety of major topics during the live discussion including:
Participants will hear the latest regarding the practical application of yield restriction and arbitrage rebate rules. You’ll gain insights about strategies to reduce rebate liability in an arbitrage positive environment. This is a great opportunity to hear about at-issuance considerations issuers should consider when making arbitrage elections and investment decisions. For the interactive part of the webinar, participate in a discussion of post-issuance considerations and rebate computations.
Registration will open next week; stay tuned for the email and information about the esteemed panelists.
GFOA’s First Annual Fundamentals Virtual Forum will be held July 11-15, 2022. This virtual training opportunity is designed for new government finance staff who are either starting their career journey or transitioning to public finance from the private sector. Seven of the ten virtual forum sessions will be based on topics from GFOA’s Certified Public Finance Officers (CPFO) program.
Join us for a panel discussion on NABL’s 2022 report on Due Diligence in Primary Offerings on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 3:00pm-4:00pm ET / 12:00am – 1:00pm PT.
“Due Diligence Considerations in Primary Offerings of Municipal Securities”, published in January of this year, provides NABL members with tools for consideration when undertaking due diligence reviews for issuer and underwriter clients in connection with primary offerings of municipal securities, and, after establishing a working definition of due diligence, covers why, when, where, and how due diligence is undertaken. Panelists will walk through the Report and provide insight surrounding due diligence reviews, including lessons learned and “war stories” from deals gone awry.
Register by May 18, 2022 at 10:00am ET to join. The roundtable discussion is geared toward junior bond practitioners, and NABL invites attendees of its recent Essentials conference to come prepared with any burning questions left unanswered from the seminar in Denver. This session is a NABL-member benefit and not eligible for continuing legal education (CLE).
Click here to register.
May 4, 2022 | Noon-2 p.m. ET
Details:
This seminar will focus on the basic accounting and financial reporting for leases under Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 87, Leases. It is designed to provide participants with a solid working knowledge of the accounting for contracts that convey control of the right to use the service capacity of another entity’s nonfinancial asset(s), and ways in which to identify key contract provisions, including the lease term and the discount rate.
Click here to learn more and to register.
With a growing national focus on infrastructure financing, communities throughout the country are actively searching for innovative strategies and solutions for building transportation, energy, water, broadband, and resiliency infrastructure. CDFA is honored to partner with Frost Brown Todd LLC and its affiliate FBT Project Finance Advisors LLC to present the Infrastructure Finance Series. This in-depth series focuses on the characteristics of infrastructure, the innovative tools for financing various infrastructure projects, and how the private sector impacts the landscape of infrastructure investment.
Frost Brown Todd LLC is a full-service law firm dedicated to refining the art of client service, by leveraging technical, industry, and legal knowledge and hands-on experience to serve a diverse client base. Its affiliate FBT Project Finance Advisors LLC is a registered municipal advisor focusing on development finance. Counseling clients from the earliest stages of each project through financing, construction, and project administration, FBT Project Finance Advisors works with clients to develop solutions that fit their community’s needs, protect their balance sheet, and deliver bottom-line results.
The series includes:
Click here to view the series.
Webinar | March.31.2022 | 2pm – 3pm (Eastern Standard Time)
Green, Social, and Sustainability bond issues are gaining popularity as more issuers and borrowers incorporate socially and environmentally responsible factors into their capital planning and operations. Please join Orrick and The Bond Buyer as we explore the growing role of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in the municipal bond market, the leading bond designation standards, and the costs and benefits of issuing sustainability bonds. Against the backdrop of a self-regulating industry, prevailing guidelines for issuing “Green”, “Social”, or “Sustainability” bonds in the United States are emerging from foreign organizations. This session will help participants identify eligible projects and gain an understanding of related requirements and best practices.
Topics to be covered:
Click here to learn more and to register.
June 15-17, 2022 | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Registration is currently open to NASBO Members only. On April 1 (no joke), registration will open to Friends of NASBO (other state or federal gov’t/non-profit/education) at a rate of $725.
(Deadline to register is 5/31)
Click here to learn more and to register.
Bonding Time Podcast: BDA’s Michael Decker talks with ICE Bonds President Peter Borstelmann as part of our “Leaning into Disruption” podcast series.
Bond Dealers of America
February 21, 2022
In the MSRB’s latest podcast “2021 in Review” Chief Market Structure Officer John Bagley breaks down the key trends and highlights from 2021 and what to expect in 2022.
February 25, 2022 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
March 1, 2022 | 1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET
Thursday, February 17, 1pm E – Staffing for the Future: Staffing Trends & Organizational Considerations Post-COVID
Moderator: Paul Greaves, Managing Editor, Debtwire
Panelists:
As companies shift back to in person work environments, how does that impact worker recruitment, development, and retention? Many firms are reporting difficulty finding young talent. Which strategies are working? How has remote work impacted training of young municipal bond professionals? At the same time, retirements by older workers have increased. Will a return to the office push more out?
To register, click here.
April 27-29 | Santa Fe, New Mexico
Click here to learn more and to register.
National Association of State Budget Officers
February 10, 2022 | 2 p.m.-4 p.m. ET
Nora Wittstruck, Nick Samuels, Cindy Harris, and Grant Dewey
Prerequisite: None.
Details:
This webinar will provide participants with an understanding of the 2022 market conditions for debt issuances and management. An overview of key credit variables will be discussed including – understanding ESG factors; cybersecurity threats; labeled bonds (e.g. green bonds), overall fiscal conditions, phasing out of LIBOR, and what variables rating agencies and investors may be looking for from issuers in the future.
The session will feature industry experts, interactive discussion, and will highlight for finance officers the importance of understanding how market conditions and trends are related to outstanding and future debt issuances.
Who Will Benefit: CFO/Finance Directors, Controllers, Budget Managers, Treasurers, Debt Managers, or similar.
Learning Objectives:
Member Price: $85.00
Non-member Price: $170.00
February 11, 2022 | 1 p.m.-2 p.m. ET
Prerequisite: None
Details:
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law on November 15, 2021. This legislation includes $50 billion for water/wastewater infrastructure, distributed over 5 years, and many states have started to prepare for their allocation of the funds. This historic investment in water and wastewater infrastructure has raised lots of questions for water and wastewater utilities. When will projects begin? What funding programs will be open? What types of projects might be eligible? In this webinar, experts from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) will break down what we know so far about the Infrastructure Bill’s provisions for water, and what we don’t know.
Who Will Benefit: CFO/Finance Director, Controller, Accountant, Treasurer, Water Utilities Management
Member Price: Free
Non-member Price: Free
The NFMA will return to in-person events for the 2022 Annual Conference to be held at the Four Seasons Las Vegas on May 17-20. Registration begins today. This event will follow Health & Safety Policies to promote a safe environment for all attendees. Click on the links below for more information on the program, speakers, and Health & Safety Policies.
Conference Program: Click here
Speakers: Click here
Health & Safety Policies: Click here (subject to change)
To register: Click here
2022 Annual Conference Sponsors: Click here
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Bonding Time Podcast: BDA’s Brett Bolton talks with Hilltop Securities’ Tom Kozlik about the 2022 outlook for municipal bond legislation on Capitol Hill
Bond Dealers of America
January 27, 2022
We’re excited to be returning to an in-person event for GFOA’s 116th Annual Conference, June 5–8, 2022, at the Austin Convention Center, Texas. Attend the conference to learn from leading practitioners and subject matter experts on how to leverage tools found in public finance to build a better community.
The Novogradac Online LIHTC Property Compliance Workshop is an 11-hour, two-day course, led by knowledgeable instructors, to provide attendees with the most up-to-date low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) compliance knowledge and industry trends critical to owners and property managers. At the conclusion of the workshop, attendees have the opportunity to pass an exam to obtain the Novogradac Property Compliance Certification (NPCC), a certification for members of the LIHTC community.
For instructor information, agenda, pricing and more, visit the content page.
Dates:
Tuesday February 8 – Wednesday February 9
11:30 am to 5:00 pm ET (8:30 am to 2:00 pm PT)
Keynote Speaker: Sergio Rebelo, MUFG Bank Distinguished Professor of International Finance at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Moderator: Nicole Byrd, Senior Investment Professional, Nationwide Insurance
This webinar will open the NFMA’s Winter Advanced Webinar Series, with the theme, “Assessing the New Normal in a Post-Covid World”. Professor Rebelo will discuss the impact that large, ongoing structural transformations in the U.S. economy will have on U.S. cities. These transformations include the polarization of consumer demand into value and luxury, the emergence of remote work as an important part of the work landscape, the digital transformation of the service sector, and climate change.
To register, click here. This event is a benefit of NFMA membership, and non-members may attend for a registration fee of $100. As with all Advanced Webinars and Seminars, no press permitted.
The U.S. municipal bond market has been one of the best-performing fixed-income asset classes in 2021, supported by strong investor demand and limited new-issue supply amidst ongoing negotiations over a Federal infrastructure aid package.
Can they maintain the momentum once the money starts flowing? Our experts will share their outlooks for the market in 2022, including viewpoints on volume, credit quality, and technical supply and demand factors.
Click here to watch the webinar.
municipalbonds.com
Jan 05, 2022
December.15.2021 | 12pm – 1pm (Eastern Standard Time)
Webinar – Recording Available
The bipartisan infrastructure legislation will provide $973 billion over the next five years, including $550 billion in new investments for all modes of transportation, water, power and energy and broadband.
Please join Orrick and the Bond Buyer as we discuss the legislation and how the Infrastructure & Investment Act (the “Act”) will impact the municipal finance industry.
Topics to be covered include:
Panelists:
January 13, 2022
Details:
The Alliance for Excellence in School Budgeting is a group of 100-plus school districts working on implementing GFOA’s Best Practices in School Budgeting. A part of the Smarter School Spending initiative, the Alliance first met in 2015 and includes a diverse group of districts from across the United States. The annual meeting of the Alliance includes senior staff from academic and finance learning, sharing and networking with their peers from other districts to improve their budgeting and planning processes. Topics covered at the annual meeting will include using GFOA’s school budgeting roadmap and self assessment tool, developing strategic finance plans, finance/academic collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
This session will include topics and speakers over four (4) days and features a mix of presentations, small group discussions, and interactive exercises.
Learning Objectives:
Click here to learn more and to register.
January 19, 2022 | 2 p.m.-4 p.m. ET
Details:
This seminar will provide a comprehensive examination of all pension- and OPEB-related note disclosures and required supplementary information (RSI) that must be presented by governmental employers that provide these benefits to their employees.
Learning Objectives:
Those completing this seminar will be able to:
Click here to learn more and to register.
Webinar | December 14.2021 | 11am – 12pm (Pacific Standard Time)
In a market where volume cap is becoming less available, 501(c)(3) entities provide an alternative means of accessing capital to provide affordable housing. This webinar will be a discussion of the different ways 501(c)(3) entities can be used, including accessing capital directly in the corporate market, accessing the tax-exempt market, or providing bridge financing until volume cap is available in a jurisdiction.
With a growing national focus on infrastructure financing, communities throughout the country are actively searching for innovative strategies and solutions for building transportation, energy, water, broadband, and resiliency infrastructure. CDFA is honored to partner with Frost Brown Todd LLC and its affiliate FBT Project Finance Advisors LLC to present the Infrastructure Finance Series. This in-depth series focuses on the characteristics of infrastructure, the innovative tools for financing various infrastructure projects, and how the private sector impacts the landscape of infrastructure investment.
Frost Brown Todd LLC is a full-service law firm dedicated to refining the art of client service, by leveraging technical, industry, and legal knowledge and hands-on experience to serve a diverse client base. Its affiliate FBT Project Finance Advisors LLC is a registered municipal advisor focusing on development finance. Counseling clients from the earliest stages of each project through financing, construction, and project administration, FBT Project Finance Advisors works with clients to develop solutions that fit their community’s needs, protect their balance sheet, and deliver bottom-line results.
December 14, 2021 | 2:00 p.m. EST / 11:00 a.m. PST
In a market where volume cap is becoming less available, 501(c)(3) entities provide an alternative means of accessing capital to provide affordable housing. This webinar will be a discussion of the different ways 501(c)(3) entities can be used.
Click here to learn more and to register.
15 December 2021 | 3:00 – 4:00pm CET
Join us for a discussion and introduction to our new ESG Ratings from Sustainable Fitch.
Maria Bazhanova, Associate Director in the Sustainable Fitch team will provide you with an introduction to the ESG Ratings and Janine Dow, Senior Director, Sustainable Fitch, will introduce you to the differences between the established ESG Relevance Scores in Credit Ratings and the new ESG Ratings in Financial Institutions.
KEY TOPICS
ESG Ratings:
ESG Relevance Scores in Credit Ratings vs. ESG Ratings:
The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session. Please send any questions in advance to Christiane Treutel: christiane.treutel@fitchratings.com.
We hope you can join us for this event.
On December 2, join MSRB staff for a free webinar to preview the completely redesigned “CUSIP Groups” feature that allows issuers to save a group of CUSIPs to use for future disclosure filings. This is one of a series of enhancements the MSRB is making to the free tools available for managing CUSIPs in the Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA®) system.
Click here to learn more and to register.
December 6, 7 & 8 2021 | 2-4:45 p.m. ET
Details:
Procurement is an essential function for all governments and serves to provide service that connects public sector operations with private sector suppliers, contractors, and providers. High performing procurement functions not only support government’s responsibility to use resources effectively, they also promote efficient operations, reduce business continuity risk, and work to maintain trust in government. Unfortunately not all organizations utilize procurement to its full strategic potential. In this course, instructors will cover the basics of public procurement, provide an overview of key processes and policies, highlight important features and tools of modern procurement functions, and explain how the profession is evolving to better meet the needs of governments.
Learning Objectives:
Member Price: $315.00
Non-member Price: $630.00
Click here to register.
November 30, December 1 & 3 | 12:30-3:15 p.m. ET
Details:
This course offers attendees a comprehensive agenda of the concepts and techniques needed to effectively manage their investment portfolios. This two-day course highlights the importance for governmental entities to have a robust investment policy and corresponding procedures, and brings attention to GFOA’s best practices related to investing. Through interactive activities and classroom presentations, attendees will gain a better understanding of the various elements of an investment program, whether the portfolio is managed internally or externally. Topics covered include: cash flow forecasting, hiring and managing external professionals, types of investments commonly used in the public sector, investment strategies for liquidity and core investment funds, managing risks, benchmarking, and reporting.
Learning Objectives:
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to:
Member Price: $315.00
Non-member Price: $630.00
Click here to register.
November 8, 2021 | 2 p.m.-4 p.m. ET
Details:
Governments make payments every day through a variety of avenues, including ACH, checks, wire transfers, p-cards, cash, and other methods. It is critical that governments have appropriate policies and procedures in place to ensure timely payments, maintain necessary government operations, and prevent against internal and external fraud instances. This course will assist finance officers with developing, reviewing, and updating their policies and procedures related to payables. Key components of the training will include: Overview of payable methods typically used by governments Benefits and risks of utilizing electronic payments, cash payments, and check payments Expanding options available for making electronic payments Third-party relationships required to make payments (banks, payment providers, etc.) Tracking payments internally and the associated software needs Internal controls required to prevent internal and external fraud Timely reconciliation and record keeping.
Learning Objectives:
Review the core payables function in the Treasury Office
Learn recommended policies and procedures
Identify fraud hazards from multiple sources and ways to prevent fraud
Understand the opportunities and responsibilities with any external relationships used to assist with a government’s payables function
Member Price: $85.00
Non-member Price: $170.00
8-9 December 2021 | 09:00 – 13:00 EST
We’re pleased to announce our first ESG Outlook Conference under Sustainable Fitch – the second annual ESG Outlook presented by Fitch Group.
Don’t miss your chance to experience ESG in action. See first-hand how ESG data is leveraged to communicate the true financial risk and impact of companies worldwide.
This two-day virtual event includes a valuable mix of keynotes, interviews, case studies and workshops including attendee participation and interaction. Beyond the standard high-level view, take a deep dive into the intersection of ESG risk and debt capital markets. Day 2 will feature specific break-out sessions by sector with real use cases and actionable take-aways.
Here is a sneak peek at this year’s agenda:
Day 1 – 8 December
Day 2 – 9 December
You don’t want to miss this event so register today!
Thursday 28 October | 15:30 BST | 10:30 EDT
Please join Sustainable Fitch for our quarterly live presentation on ESG and its ever-growing credit implications. Our Sustainable Finance team will be reviewing the latest developments in the ESG markets and give you a glimpse of the wealth of resources Fitch’s dedicated specialists produce.
The discussion will focus on:
Speakers:
Each year since 1987, the NFMA has held the Introduction to Municipal Bond Credit Analysis. Though the pandemic has prevented the in-person presentation again this year, we have invited speakers to discuss eleven topics over three afternoons, on November 17, 18 and 19, 2021. This course is designed for new analysts, support and sales personnel, and has also been found worthwhile for seasoned analysts seeking to brush up on other sectors. Non-members are welcome to attend.
To view the program, click here.
One registration fee covers all three sessions which run from Noon Eastern to 4:45pm on Days One and Two, and until 3:40pm on Day Three. Registrants may stay logged in to Zoom during breaks and may attend the live sessions and/or watch the replays until February 1, 2022.
Registration for is $200 for the webinar series. We are offering group registration for up to five registrants at a cost of $500.
To register one person, click here.
To use the group form, click here.
October 12, 2021 | 11 a.m.-Noon ET
Details:
In this Just-in-Time training, GFOA’s Federal Liaison Center covers the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) through the lens of Non-Entitlement Unit (NEUs) recipients. NEUs are defined as, “local governments typically serving a population under 50,000”. Join October 12 for a recap and revision of current SLFRF guidance specific to NEUs.
Who Will Benefit:
CFO/Finance Director, Controller, Budget Manager, Accountant, Treasurer, Debt Manager, Depart Dir.
Learning Objectives:
Member Price: Free
Non-member Price: $70.00
October 4, 2021 – 2 p.m.-4 p.m. ET
Details:
Issuers of municipal securities have numerous disclosure responsibilities related to their bond transactions. This includes mandated filings of annual financial information and material event notices in the MSRB’s EMMA system, and other types of voluntary disclosures. Industry experts will discuss these issues as well as recent SEC activities related to disclosure. A review of GFOA’s best practices and the importance of developing and maintaining disclosure policies and procedures will also be addressed.
Learning Objectives:
Those completing this seminar will be able to:
Member Price: $85.00
Non-member Price: $170.00
Washington D.C., Sept. 20, 2021 — The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Examinations and Office of Municipal Securities (OMS), the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) today announced the opening of registration for the 2021 Compliance Outreach Program for Municipal Advisors. The virtual program will be held Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Additional information and program materials, including the agenda are available on the SEC website.
The program will provide municipal advisors and other municipal market participants an opportunity to hear from SEC, MSRB, and FINRA staff on timely regulatory and compliance matters. Topics of discussion include managing conflicts of interest disclosures; operational considerations for registered municipal advisors; municipal advisors’ participation in new issue pricing; preparing for an examination; SEC and FINRA examination processes and common observations; and relevant SEC and FINRA enforcement actions. A tutorial on using the EDGAR system will also be presented.
“OMS is pleased to participate in this event for municipal advisors in the virtual format. We enjoy the opportunity to speak directly to and encourage a dialogue with the municipal advisor community. Our goal with this event is to promote a greater understanding of and compliance with municipal advisor duties under the federal securities laws,” said OMS Director Rebecca Olsen.
Daniel Kahl, Acting Director of the SEC’s Division of Examinations added, “I am delighted that we are once again holding this important outreach event. This program is one example of the Division’s efforts to be transparent when it comes to the examination program and includes panels on common exam findings and how to prepare for an examination. With representatives of the SEC, MSRB, and FINRA, as well as industry participants, the program should provide an excellent learning opportunity for municipal advisors regarding their regulatory obligations from multiple perspectives. The open dialogue I expect at the event should serve to bolster compliance efforts and ultimately enhance investor protection.”
MSRB Chief Regulatory Officer Gail Marshall said, “We are pleased to again partner with the SEC and FINRA on a program that allows us to engage with municipal advisors across the country. This program is a great capstone to the series of virtual regional town halls for municipal advisors that the MSRB held during the summer months. Creating opportunities such as this to engage in thoughtful dialogue will better inform our work that is centrally focused on reducing unnecessary costs and burdens for municipal advisors while also finding impactful ways to support compliance.”
“The municipal securities market plays an important role in U.S. capital markets, providing opportunities for new and experienced retail investors as governments leverage bonds, complex structured products and financial derivatives to address their infrastructure and capital needs,” said Bari Havlik, FINRA’s Executive Vice President of Member Supervision. “This program enables municipal advisor firms across the country to hear from regulators about areas of oversight, compliance and obligations that promote a fair and efficient market.”
Registration is being administered by FINRA. The program is free and open to all. Register to attend the program here. For those who cannot attend the live virtual program, the recording will be archived on the SEC’s Compliance Outreach Program for Municipal Advisors webpage for later viewing. To submit questions in advance of the event, email 2021MAOutreach@sec.gov.
October 21, 2021
Free to NFMA members; $100 for non-members. To register, go to the Event Calendar or click here.
In this installment of Bonding Time featuring Tom Kozlik of HilltopSecurities, we discuss the ongoing infrastructure deliberations in Congress including the recent introduction of muni provisions in the Ways and Means reconciliation draft and handicap potential next steps in both the House and Senate.
We also discuss the immediate and long-term impacts of a potential federal default and a government shutdown on the overall health of the markets and the current lack of a plan to solve these self-made crises.
Bond Dealers of America
September 21, 2021
Dan Kowalski and Michael Wertz of the US Public Finance team discuss the bill’s funding to replace lead service lines and water utilities facing a mix of aging assets and climate change.
Plus, Steven Goodman-Leibof and Helen Cregger weigh in on the credit effects of water reductions in Arizona, Nevada and California.
22 September 2021 | 16:00 BST | 11:00 EDT
Join us on Wednesday 22 September, 4:00 PM BST, for a presentation of Sustainable Fitch’s new ESG Ratings.
For this webinar we are pleased to offer translation into Spanish and Portuguese. Please choose your preferred language on the widget in the webinar console.
Fitch Group’s new division, Sustainable Fitch, recently launched a comprehensive range of ESG Ratings products, at both an entity and instrument level, for all asset classes globally.
The ESG Ratings suite is designed to help market players to discriminate the ESG quality of both financial instruments and the entities that issue them. Our ESG Entity Ratings evaluate an entity’s activities from an environmental and social perspective, as well as the quality and outcomes of its policies and governance. Our ESG Instrument Ratings assess the ESG credentials of individual bonds or loans in the context of the entity that is issuing them, and where there is a labelled or KPI-linked instrument also provide a standalone assessment of the quality of the framework. Fundamentally, the focus of our ESG Rating analysis is on actions, outcomes, impacts and activities rather than purely on policies and broader commitments. Our instrument analysis looks beyond the labelling to focus on the fundamentals.
The ESG Ratings suite can assess all types of debt instruments (bonds and loans), whether they are labelled, plain vanilla, or structured instruments, as well as any type of entity (corporate, leveraged finance, financial institution, sovereign, supranational and agency (SSA), project finance, public finance and structured finance).
In this session, Andrew Steel, Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainable Fitch, and Gianluca Spinetti, Senior Director, Head of Product Development, will detail the ESG Rating methodology, explain how ratings can be used and discuss findings from the first universe of ratings assigned.
Highlights Include:
Questions can also be emailed in advance to aymeric.poizot@fitchratings.com
Monday, July 26, 2021 – 7:43am
On-Demand Training
The Novogradac Private Activity Bond and 4% LIHTC Overview Webinar Recording presents an overview of the major accounting concepts associated with the use of private activity bonds and 4 percent low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) to finance affordable multifamily rental housing properties. The recording focuses on the 50% Test, the 95-5 Test and challenges of complying with bond rules and LIHTC rules.
Click here for the recording.
On-Demand Webinar | August 26.2021 | 2pm – 3pm (Eastern Daylight Time)
Panelists on this Web Seminar will discuss and analyze the issuance of pension obligation bonds from the decision-making perspective of an issuer, sharing examples of principal considerations that an issuer’s finance managers and governing board members are called to consider prior to moving forward with a pension obligation bond (POB) issuance:
Donald Field, a partner with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, will lead an experienced panel through these and other critical questions. The focus of the panel will be to share recent market experience with issuers considering POBs, particularly governing board members and those who might be tasked with presenting for governing board consideration the how’s and why’s of POBs as an effective tool to address rising pension costs, and the development of pension funding policies for best financial practices.
Key Presenters:
Donald Field
Partner, Orrick
(Moderator)
Oliver Chi
City Manager, City of Huntington Beach
(Speaker)
Mark Young
Managing Director, KNN Public Finance
(Speaker)
John Kim
Managing Director & Executive Committee Member, Stifel
(Speaker)
Kevin Hale
Counsel, Orrick
(Speaker)
Mike Perkowski
Co-Founder and Partner, New Reality Media, LLC
(Bond Buyer Moderator)
Click here to watch the webinar.
September 9-10, 2021
Thursday, September 9
Time – TBD
Corporate Market Structure, New Technologies, and Liquidity Providers
The conversation will focus on the evolution of electronic trading since the pandemic began, trading protocol usage, the role of non-bank liquidity providers, and what to watch in the coming year.
Friday, September 10
10:00 am ET
Bond Market Regulation – 4210, G13, 15c2-11, Muni Advisor Rule, Corporate Syndicate Rule, Remote Work
Hear from senior staff of the SEC, FINRA, and MSRB on hot topics in fixed income regulation, compliance, and enforcement. We will examine issues like FINRA’s margin rule, MSRB Rule G-13 and the recent related compliance case, SEC Rule 15c2-11, and other key topics. Dan Deaton, partner at BDA member firm Nixon Peabody, will provide commentary.
Friday, September 10
11:00 am ET
Municipal Markets 2021 – Credit Conditions and Issuance Expectations, plus What to Expect from Washington, DC
We will look into current credit conditions and issuance expectations as localities continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and what we can expect for the remainder of the year. The discussion will also provide a legislative update and the current status of key muni legislation in DC.
Registration Fees
*For full series of all three webinars
Single User – $95
Firm Enterprise Fee (up to 50 weblinks per firm) – $300
Click here to register.
Please contact Rebecca Cooke-Rodriguez if you would like to change your registration at rcrodriguez@bdamerica.org
September 21, 2021 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
The phrase “Capital Stack” is one that is pretty commonplace in the Development Finance nomenclature these days, but what does it truly mean to build the Capital Stack and how can it work for your project? This session will discuss how Bonds, Tax Increment Finance, Tax Credits as well as the litany of federal funding through recent legislation can work for your project and ultimately the community that is benefitting.
Click here to learn more and to register.
November 4, 2021 | 1 p.m.-5 p.m. ET
Details:
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) will offer its 2021 GAAP Update on November 4, 2021, with encore presentations on December 9, 2021, and January 13, 2022, using GFOA’s online learning management system (LMS).
Participate in interactive exercises to test your knowledge of the material being presented. Receive immediate feedback to your questions during the program from GFOA’s Technical Services Center staff.
Key topics* that will be covered during this year’s session include:
New GASB pronouncements:
Updates on GASB projects on:
Special segment – Implementing GASB 87, Leases, first effective for fiscal years ending June 30, 2022
Update on new developments impacting audits of state and local governments, including implications of CARES Act and ARPA assistance
Common deficiencies seen in applications for GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
Current Implementations:
*Topics are subject to change
Learning Objectives:
August 31 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
There are hundreds of development finance agencies working in concert to support rural communities. They exist at all levels of government, in communities of all sizes, and provide financing programs to address multiple capital needs. How do you find a development finance agency that is the right fit for your rural community? During the third installment of the CDFA Rural Development Finance Webinar Series, discover best practices of development finance agencies to help you identify the right partner for your projects.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Hilton Cleveland Downtown & Online | October 21, 2021 – 8:30am to October 22, 2021 – 5:30pm
Introducing the Novogradac 2021 Fall Opportunity Zones Conference.
Develop your professional relationships and reconnect with others active in opportunity zones (OZ) investment in Cleveland, a city that is benefiting from more than $250 million of OZ investment. Learn from qualified opportunity fund (QOF) managers, investors, developers and Novogradac accountants who will discuss the state of the marketplace, types of project trends, plus structuring and operational considerations of QOFs.
For those unable to join us in Cleveland, we invite you to join us online, where you can view our panels, chat with both in-person and virtual attendees, plus watch online-only content of the event.
Click here to learn more and to register.
The first reporting deadline for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) is quickly approaching at the end of August. To bring CSLFRF recipients up to speed with their compliance and reporting responsibilities as well as a breakdown of each type of report, GFOA is hosting a complimentary just-in-time training next week.
Tuesday, August 31, 2021 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
Best Practices for Rural Development Finance Agencies
There are hundreds of development finance agencies working in concert to support rural communities. They exist at all levels of government, in communities of all sizes, and provide financing programs to address multiple capital needs. How do you find a development finance agency that is the right fit for your rural community? During the third installment of the CDFA Rural Development Finance Webinar Series, discover best practices of development finance agencies to help you identify the right partner for your projects.
Moderator(s)
Click here to learn more and to register.
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern
The Federal Role in Financing Broadband
Next-generation technology will increasingly rely on 5G networks. Communities with small economies and insufficient capacity to fund and operate their own broadband networks will become underserved and left behind. Federal agencies such as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the USDA, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have financing programs available to help bridge the gap communities face when assembling capital to invest in their broadband networks. During this installment of the CDFA Federal Financing Webinar Series, experts will discuss how federal financing tools can be used to fund 5G broadband networks.
Click here to learn more and to register.
August 12, 2021 |. 1 p.m.-2:15 p.m. ET
Details:
Legislative activity on Capitol Hill in the year 2020 was dominated by the development of multiple aid packages in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. To address the vital need for widespread access to drinking water & wastewater utilities, Congress has authorized billions to assist households and utilities with water utility affordability and stormwater infrastructure projects. Join experts from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN) for an introduction to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA, the Low-Income Housing Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), and Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to learn what to expect when dealing with these federal assistance programs.
Click here to learn more and to register.
August 12, 13 & 16 | 2-4:45 p.m. ET
Click here to learn more and to register.
August 11-12, 2021 | Daily: 12:00 – 5:00 PM Eastern
Overview
The Intro Public-Private Partnership (P3) Finance Course examines this emerging development finance model with a focus on how development finance agencies can adopt P3 principles to address a variety of projects. This course covers basic P3 concepts, key players involved in transactions, asset valuation, contract negotiation, risk assessment, revenue stream development, and feasibility analysis. In addition, several P3 projects from across the country will be presented, and P3 experts will analyze the successful elements in each deal.
Interest in P3 financing is growing as state and local governments face tough budget decisions along with declining federal investment in infrastructure. Several state and local agencies have used P3 to finance real estate developments, schools, parking garages, public transit, affordable housing, water facilities, and more. During the Intro P3 Finance Course, industry experts discuss the common characteristics and drivers of P3 financing’s throughout the country and explain the various structures of these deals.
This course will qualify for the CDFA Training Institute’s Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Join us online, and start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
Click here to learn more and to register.
NABL is bringing back its in-person meetings with The Workshop: Hybrid 2021, October 13-15, 2021, at The Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. It’s time for you to mark your calendar as “busy” and register for the conference early. The event will have limited in-person seating due to COVID-19, so it’s important to secure your spot now. In-person registration will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We are also providing a virtual option for The Workshop.
If you join NABL as a member and register for The Workshop by Friday, August 20, you will save more than $200 off the conference rate, and your membership will extend through December 31, 2022! The cost for joining plus The Workshop is $1,140 (nonmember registration, without joining, is $1,345). As a member, you will receive significant discounts on all CLE webinars and conferences through 2022, plus receive access to member-only areas of the website.
This year’s conference will include:
Check out this year’s line-up! The meeting will offer up to 11.25 live CLE credit hours for those who attend in-person or virtually. For in-person registrations, NABL will send an email with the hotel reservation information to secure your hotel room.
In-Person Registration Requirement: All in-person attendees must be fully vaccinated prior to attending the conference. Registered attendees will need to email a PDF of their COVID-19 vaccination record card as proof to NABL at registration@nabl.org, by Friday, September 3, 2021. If you register for in-person and don’t provide proof by September 3, your in-person registration will default to a virtual registration.
Join and Reserve Your Spot Now for The Workshop: Hybrid 2021!
September 30 – October 1st, 2021, Hutton Hotel, Nashville TN & Online
Click here to learn more and to register.
October 28-29, 2021
Hybrid Event At the Vdara Hotel and Spa and Virtual
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN:
Click here to register for limited IN-PERSON attendance
Click here to register for VIRTUAL attendance
A Comprehensive Overview of Post-Issuance Tax Law and SEC Secondary Market Disclosure for 501(c)(3) Organizations and State and Local Government Issuers Who Utilize Tax-Exempt Financing
The 2021 Workshop will be a hybrid event, with very limited in-person attendance and a livestream option. In-person attendance will be limited to 32 attendees, based upon the conference facilities and social distancing guidelines. In addition, through the livestream option, we will make available all the content on a virtual platform with the ability for participants to interact with the presenters and with other attendees throughout the workshop. Both the in-person and livestream options will allow participants to replay any of the sessions for up to 30 days after the event.
Our desire is to host an event for the community that provides timely and relevant information while following Orrick’s recommended protocols and is safe for both the attendees and for our team. The livestream option represents an exciting way for us to bring our content to a much broader audience.
Please note: Due to the limited in-person capacity, live attendance at the Vdara will be restricted to one person per organization.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols for In-Person Attendance
Our goal at this event is to promote healthy behaviors and maintain a healthy environment for all participants. Accordingly, we will adhere to the following preventative measures for those attending the Workshop in person and while at Workshop events:
These safety protocols are subject to change. Please check back for updates.
In addition, for information on the Vdara’s Seven-Point Safety Plan, please click here.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The BLX/Orrick Workshop offers timely discussions of topics related to post-issuance compliance and tax law for the public finance and 501(c)(3) communities who borrow on a tax-exempt basis. With open forums allowing for attendee participation, BLX and Orrick professionals will lead the program and assist participants with understanding the IRS and SEC regulations and requirements relating to tax-exempt debt. The sessions encourage audience participation and address questions from participants relating to real life situations. The BLX and Orrick team strives to make the discussion of tedious tax laws understandable and relatable.
At the Workshop, learn valuable information relating to the following:
FINAL AGENDA – Please check back for updates.
BLX SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES & ORRICK TAX PARTNERS TO PRESENT AT THE WORKSHOP
All Workshop participants will have the opportunity to interact directly with BLX Representatives and Orrick Partners throughout the Workshop.
CLICK HERE for more information on Orrick.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
Electronic, downloadable versions of all Workshop materials will be accessible via a secure log in site 3 days prior to the start of the Workshop so that all attendees may save and view the materials on their own device.
Please note, for in-person attendees, hard copies of Workshop materials will NOT be provided. Please download and save the electronic materials to your device prior to the Workshop or print off and bring copies of the materials with you.
HOTEL INFORMATION
BLX has secured a limited number of rooms at a special discounted rate of $135* (plus applicable fees) at the Vdara. The last day to book a room will be October 6, 2021. To reserve your room, click here.
GENERAL SCHEDULE – For Travel Planning Purposes
Thursday, October 28th
7:00 am – 8:00 am Registration & Breakfast
8:00 am – 12:00 pm Workshop Sessions
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm – 5:30 pm Workshop Sessions
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Cocktails (details to be determined)
Friday, October 29th
7:30 am – 8:00 am Breakfast
8:00 am – 12:00 pm Workshop Sessions
12:00 pm Workshop Concludes
WORKSHOP PRICING
Nonprofit organizations:
Issuers / governmental organizations:
Other professionals**:
An invoice with payment instructions will be sent once registration is received.
** Who May Attend
In general, this educational workshop is for representatives from nonprofit organizations and state and local governments. In addition, the Workshop will be open for certain Industry Professionals. For information on Industry Professional attendance, please contact Cynthia Quezada Sixtos at csixtos@blxgroup.com.
Refunds, Cancellation and Concerns
For in-person registrations, requests to refund registration fees must be received in writing by October 1, 2021 and will be subject to a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds will be granted after October 1.
For virtual registrations, requests to refund registration fees must be received in writing by October 24 and no cancellation fee will apply. No refunds will be granted after October 24.
Refunds or cancellations of hotel bookings need to be requested from the Vdara and are subject to their policies.
For additional information or any questions on the Workshop and/or invoicing, please contact:
Cynthia Sixtos
csixtos@blxgroup.com
or call 213-612-2207
* Hotel Fees
A Daily Resort Fee of $39.00 plus the current applicable Clark County room tax for the Vdara of 13.4% will be charged in addition to room rates.
DISCLOSURES
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING: Prior results do not ensure a similar outcome.
BLX is a subsidiary of Orrick. BLX does not provide legal services.
JULY 19TH – 20TH, 2021 – MANCHESTER GRAND HYATT | SAN DIEGO
Click here to learn more and to register.
Washington, DC – The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) today announced that it will host a series of virtual regional town halls for municipal advisor firms, where MSRB Board members and staff will provide an update on MSRB initiatives and an open forum for participants to ask questions and raise topics for discussion.
“We appreciate the opportunity to engage directly with the municipal advisor community to understand their challenges and facilitate regulatory compliance,” said Seema Mohanty, MSRB Board member and Chair of the MSRB’s Stakeholder Engagement Committee. “Over the past year, we have embraced virtual formats of engagement and look forward to this opportunity to hear from the diverse community of municipal advisors across the country.”
To supplement the open town hall format, the MSRB will hold office hours in connection with each regional event. Municipal advisor firms can sign up to have one-on-one meetings with MSRB Board members and staff during office hours.
The MSRB’s Chief Regulatory Officer Gail Marshall said, “The MSRB is committed to responsive regulation that reflects current market practices. These virtual town halls and optional office hours will be important forums for the MSRB to receive feedback from municipal advisors that helps us develop tools and resources to facilitate compliance with MSRB rules.”
Municipal advisor firms are encouraged to register for one of five regional town halls. The town halls are open to MSRB registrants only.
MIDWEST: Monday, July 19, 2021, 1:00-2:30 p.m. CT (2:00-3:30 p.m. ET) – Register here.
WEST: Thursday, August 5, 2021, 12:00-1:30 p.m. PT (3:00-4:30 p.m. ET) – Register here.
SOUTHWEST: Tuesday, August 24, 2021, 12:00-1:30 p.m. MT (2:00-3:30 p.m. ET) – Register here.
SOUTHEAST: Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET – Register here.
NORTHEAST: Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET – Register here.
Office hours will be available immediately following each town hall.
Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance of the events by emailing MSRBEvents@msrb.org.
Date: June 22, 2021
Contact: Leah Szarek, Chief External Relations Officer
202-838-1300
lszarek@msrb.org
August 9-10, 2021 | Daily: 12:00 – 5:00 PM Eastern
Financing infrastructure has become one of the nation’s most pressing concerns. Communities throughout the country are aggressively searching for innovative strategies and solutions for building and operating transportation, energy, water, broadband, resiliency, and other infrastructure. The development finance toolbox provides a vast array of capital solutions – including federal and state grants and loans, bonds, tax increment financing, tax credits, revolving loan funds, opportunity zones, and public-private partnerships – all of which can be packaged in a myriad of ways.
The Intro Infrastructure Finance WebCourse will bring together development finance experts from different infrastructure disciplines to analyze the financing tools being used nationwide. This interactive web course will help communities understand the fundamental concepts behind infrastructure projects with a focus on raising capital to achieve local and regional needs. In addition, this webcourse will explore the cutting-edge structures and approaches being deployed to accelerate new investment in America’s 21st-century infrastructure.
This course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute’s Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program . Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
Click here to learn more and to register.
August 4-5, 2021 | Daily: 12:00 – 5:00 PM Eastern
Bonds are the bedrock of development finance and are used to help build roads, bridges, sewers, city halls, hospitals, and thousands of public and private projects. For over a century, bonds have been spurring development and redevelopment and are a major driver for job creation and economic growth.
CDFA’s highly acclaimed Intro Bond Finance WebCourse provides an in-depth look at governmental and qualified private activity bonds, with a focus on industrial development bonds (IDBs), 501(c)(3) non-profit bonds, exempt facility bonds, and other special bond programs authorized by the federal government.
The Intro Bond Finance WebCourse addresses the basic requirements for issuing a bond, the rules and regulations that govern tax-exempt and taxable bonds, the major players involved in a bond transaction, and the roles and responsibilities of both public and private sector participants. Plus attendees will learn about the tax-exempt bond market, the ratings process, how to buy and sell bonds, and ongoing continuing disclosure.
This course is essential for public leaders, economic development professionals, financial experts, and anyone working to address local economic challenges. Learn how to bring economic growth to your community by utilizing the vast resources of the development bond finance industry.
This course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute’s Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
Click here to learn more and to register.
August 4-5, 2021 | Daily: 12:00 – 5:00 PM Eastern
The impact of housing on economic development efforts is a critical issue in many communities. By addressing complex housing challenges and opportunities, a community creates valuable assets while also encouraging economic development and social equity. From urban centers, suburban enclaves, and rural cities, communities across the country have numerous tools available to support the development of affordable, market rate, mixed-income, and mixed-use housing. The Intro Housing Finance Course will explore how the development finance toolbox can be utilized to support a myriad of housing challenges and opportunities as well as how development finance agencies can become key partners to housing developments in their community.
The Intro Housing Finance WebCourse will begin with an introduction to the complex world of housing including introducing terminology and landscape of the housing space in community development. During this course, speakers will walk through the multitude of diverse capital sources layered into housing deals based on the type of housing being developed. Attendees will delve into innovative case studies from across U.S. of how investment in an effective housing financing strategy can help drive the success of local economic development.
This course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute’s Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Matthew Butler and Natalie Claes of the US Public Finance team discuss how better-than-expected revenue and a new wave of federal assistance spurred the outlook changes for state and local governments in the face of the pandemic.
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
Click here to learn more and to register.
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern
Click here to learn more and to register.
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern
Click here to learn more and to register.
This installment of Bonding Time featuring Tom Kozlik of Hilltop Securities discusses the American Rescue plan which provides $350 billion in unencumbered funding to state and local governments, and the growing potential this provides for a post-COVID economic boom. We also discuss lessons learned from the Great Recession recovery and how that is impacting current policy.
Bonding Time will continue to feature a selection of market experts to discuss the current state of the municipal market combined with Federal legislative and regulatory policies impacting muni market structure.
Topics will include:
Click here to listen to the podcast.
Bond Dealers of America
May 21, 2021
On May 10, the U.S. Department of Treasury released guidance on the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) included in the American Rescue Plan Act. The CSLFRF includes nearly $130 billion in direct, flexible aid to local governments in America, as well as other crucial investments in local communities.
GFOA will be hosting two complimentary webinars on May 19 and May 21 to brief members on the guidance.
To register for the sessions, see the links below:
Treasury’s release of the guidance includes a number of resources including: the interim final rule, a fact sheet, initial FAQs, and information for non-entitlement units of government.
The FLC is currently reviewing the guidance and will be providing updates on GFOA’s CSLFRF Guidance FAQ page.
Review will be ongoing so please check back regularly for the latest updates.
Thursday, June 17, 2021 – 10:00am to 12:00pm
This course presents an overview of the major accounting concepts associated with the use of private activity bonds and 4 percent low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) to finance affordable multifamily rental housing properties.
Topics Covered
Click here to learn more and to register.
GFOA’s Jake Kowalski recently spoke with Mark Anielski, a well-being economist with a background in local government, about a unique and practical approach to measuring well-being. Mark discusses his work helping government play a crucial role in measuring performance and progress in terms of well-being of mind, body, spirit, and the natural environment.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Financial Markets with Leo Harmon of Mesirow
Bond Dealers of America
April 14, 2021
If you or someone you know wants to enhance their knowledge of public finance tax law, especially those who are new to bond law or other market participants, you should attend The Essentials: Virtual 2021, June 8-11, 2021. Participants will receive a straightforward introduction to fundamental laws and principles relevant to the practice, and attendees with multiple years of experience will continue to build on the broad expertise necessary for a successful practice in public finance.
For those who practice tax law, here are six sessions that may interest you:
Arbitrage & Rebate provides an overview of general arbitrage concepts, arbitrage rebate requirements, and the application of the various exceptions to the arbitrage rebate rules.
Avoiding Private Activity covers the private activity bond rules applicable to tax-exempt municipal bond transactions.
IRS Issues & Enforcement covers IRS enforcement of tax-exempt municipal bonds, including compliance questionnaires, voluntary closing agreement program (“VCAP”), and audits. It will also look into how the IRS is organized, what constitutes “guidance” from the IRS and how it’s issued, how to obtain a private letter ruling, how to participate in VCAP, rights and remedies of issuers of tax-exempt municipal bonds in the event of an audit, and other issues related to IRS enforcement.
Qualified 501(c)(3) Bonds introduces the rules applicable to the issuance of 501(c)(3) bonds, including ownership and use requirements and issues specific to hospital, residential housing, and school financings as well as commonly used financing structures.
Qualified Small Issue & Exempt Facility Bonds covers the rules applicable to qualified small issue bonds, including qualifying projects, prohibited and restricted uses and maximum amounts, and the rules relating to qualified exempt facility bonds.
Refunding & Reissuance provides an overview of the legal and tax aspects of refundings and the tax concepts of a reissuance.
The early bird registration rate is a member-only benefit. Join NABL and register for The Essentials by April 23 and save $255 off the registration fee plus receive significant discounts on future CLE opportunities in 2021. Don’t miss out on earning up to 20 hours of CLE credit in June!
The Municipal Bonds for America Council is planning a “virtual fly-in” for Steering Committee members May 5-12. The event will include meetings with senior staff on Capitol Hill and the Administration and will provide MBFA members with the opportunity to talk with policy and decisions makers on MBFA priorities such as:
More details such as scheduling and talking points will be sent to Steering Committee members in the coming days.
This event is part of the ongoing MBFA effort to ensure Congress includes municipal bond financing in any federal infrastructure package. The MBFA has recently launched a new initiative:
Infrastructure in America: Munis Since 1812
Analyzing projects of the past, present, and future will tell the story of how municipal bond market financing has built American infrastructure with efficiency and low cost since 1812.
If you would like to get more involved with the MBFA, please contact Brett Bolton at brettbolton@munibondsforamerica.org
Bond Dealers of America
April 13, 2021
Click here to learn more and to register.
On the 396th day of March, 2020 (or March 31, 2021 for those who have returned to some semblance of normalcy), President Joe Biden outlined his vision for a new economy. Specifically, President Biden focused on the American Jobs Plan as a $2.25 trillion investment in the United States that “will create millions of good jobs, rebuilding our country’s infrastructure, and position the US to out-compete China.”
Ambitious climate policies are a major focus of the President’s vision for this massive infrastructure bill, which aims at rebuilding and developing both the US physical and technological infrastructure, creating jobs, and bolstering resilience. The impact on the transportation sector will undoubtedly be substantial.
With these concepts setting the stage, Squire Patton Boggs is hosting an hour-long panel discussion THURSDAY, April 8, 2021, at 10:00 am Eastern Time, moderated by former Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater. This discussion will focus on a number of related developments and challenges, including:
This panel will feature insights from former Republican Congressman and former Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Bill Shuster, along with the former Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Joe Crowley, and former Vice-Chairman of the House Republic Conference Jack Kingston. The former Congressmen will also be joined by three key transportation experts sharing their perspectives on plans and related expected developments:
Click here to register to hear this distinguished panel discuss the potential impact of the American Jobs Plan!
By Taylor Klavan on April 6, 2021
Squire Patton Boggs
Intermediate Governmental Accounting
e-Learning Course
Prerequisite: GFOA’s Accounting Academy, Accounting Intensive Series, an equivalent program
Details:
This seminar is designed to provide participants with a solid working knowledge of the specialized accounting and financial reporting used by state and local governments for selected topics.
Who Will Benefit: CFO/Finance Director, Controller, Accountant, Auditor
Learning Objectives:
Those who successfully complete this series should gain a basic understanding of the appropriate governmental accounting and financial reporting related to:
Member Price: $420.00
Non-member Price: $840.00
April 14, 2021 | 1 p.m.-2 p.m. ET
Prerequisite: none
Details:
Asset management has evolved from a routine accounting exercise into a dynamic process blending accounting, planning, budgeting, engineering. In this session, you will learn about community level asset management in the US and Canada and how it connects to finance sustainability. You will hear from both asset management experts as well as finance officers on how to effectively create an asset management strategy for your community.
Learning Objectives:
Explore community level asset management in the US and Canada
Learn about the Asset Management Competency Framework and its impact for finance officers
Discover how to build asset management culture and skills for your government
Member Price: $35.00
Non-member Price: $70.00
A year ago, the NFMA Board looked ahead to 2021 with the view that we would be meeting in person. Of course, this has not come to pass. That said, our Conference Planning Committee has worked to provide a program that is equally compelling in a virtual conference as it would be in person. For your consideration…
The list of topics includes:
To view the conference website, including the full program and list of speakers, click here.
Individuals may register via this link: Individual Registration. We will also offer discounted Group Registration for firms wishing to register up to eight people. Click here for Group Registration.
Join the MSRB for Finding It Faster, a free 1-hour webinar on how to efficiently and effectively search the EMMA® website for municipal market data and disclosures.
Thursday, April 8.
Tri-State Transportation: A Discussion with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Regional Plan Association
Date: Friday, March 26, 2021
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Location: Zoom Webinar
Details:
The pandemic has dramatically affected the nation’s transportation network and nowhere is this more visible than the tri-state and greater New York City area. Business and leisure travel have been upended, people are working and learning from home, and mitigating health and safety risks has changed the way transportation agencies operate. As the region recovers from the pandemic that began over a year ago, it faces new challenges and opportunities. Home to 23 million residents across 13 thousand square miles, the transportation network is “the backbone of the region’s economy” and essential for everyone’s quality of life.
Our panelists will provide a local and regional perspective on how the pandemic has affected the region’s transportation network and their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Our Speakers:
Elizabeth M. “Libby” McCarthy
Chief Financial Officer
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Christopher Jones
Senior Vice President & Chief Planner
Regional Plan Association
Moderator:
Timothy Little
Director and Lead Analyst
S&P Global Ratings
Cost: Free for members of MAGNY and NFMA, $45 for non-NFMA members
Questions? Contact Email: programchair@magny.org
To register for the Tri-State Transportation webinar on March 26, 2021 at 12:00 PM EDT, click here.
On Wednesday, March 31, 2021, NABL is hosting a webinar entitled, “Information Reporting for Tax-Exempt Bonds,” that will discuss the comments NABL submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the instructions to Form 8038 and Form 8038-G in September 2020.
The current instructions for these forms include provisions that are ambiguous and inconsistent with each other and with published guidance, which results in differing interpretations and approaches to information reporting. Panelists David J. Cholst, Chapman and Cutler LLP, Chicago, IL, Matthias M. Edrich, Kutak Rock LLP, Denver, CO, and George T. Magnatta, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP, Philadelphia, PA, will address NABL’s comment paper as well as the instructions.
Key takeaways will include how the paid preparer status is generally unavoidable and how the word “issue” has different definitions in §1.150-1(c) and §1.149(e)-1(e) and how the choice of definition often makes a difference. Gain insights from the panelists who address, among other things, the lack of uniformity about how Forms 8038 and 8038-G are completed and offer some thoughts on best practices.
If you join NABL today, you can save $200 on this live webinar as well as significant discounts on future webinars and conferences. In addition, NABL Members have access to the research area of NABL’s website that has valuable resources you can use in your practice including: comment letters, position statements, formal reports, model documents and more.
This webinar will provide you with a great opportunity to learn about NABL’s suggestions for improving the instructions to Forms 8038 and 8038-G and earn 1.5 CLE credit hours. The webinar costs $99 for members and $299 for nonmembers. Deadline to register is March 30, 2021.
Join and Reserve Your Spot Today!
Thursday, March 18, 202112:00 PM – 1:00 PM PST
Sector Spotlight: California School Districts
Our discussion will focus on the various challenges that California school districts are facing such as declining enrollment, growing pension and labor costs, charter school competition and the impact of COVID-19 on operations. We will also get insight from our panelists on how management teams are handling these challenges and expectations on State funding over the next two years. In addition, we will discuss how all these factors are incorporated into credit analysis and assignment of credit ratings.
Moderator: Alexandra Cimmiyotti, VP-Senior Credit Officer, Moody’s Investors Service
Panelists: Megan Reilly, Deputy Superintendent of Business Services and Operations, Los Angeles Unified School District; Robert McEntire, Director, Management Consulting Services, School Services of California; Helen Cregger, VP-Senior Credit Officer, Moody’s Investors Service
Click here to learn more and to register.
Zoom information to follow.
Contact: jason.pollack@wellsfargo.com
March 12, 2021 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
Details:
This course will provide a background on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance as applicable to websites and documents. The session will also outline steps you can take to ensure compliance.
Learning Objectives:
Click here to learn more and to register.
Member Price: $35.00
Non-member Price: $50.00
We continue to live through unprecedented times: the crisis of COVID-19, economic uncertainty, social and racial unrest, and weather catastrophes. How do we lead during these turbulent times? How do we lead beyond them?
Join GFOA for our 2021 Virtual Conference, July 12‒23.
Click here to learn more and to register.
May 27, 2021 | 1-3 p.m. ET
Details:
Governments should have a solid understanding of the movement of funds in and out of the organization. Cash flow analyses should be conducted regularly to estimate expected inflows and required disbursements during a given period to ensure sufficient liquidity. These can include tax and fee receipts, investment income, grants, or other revenues; and vendor payments and payroll expenses. Such an analysis is intended to measure and assess governments’ abilities to meet financial needs and prevent the need for short term borrowing, tapping into an entity’s reserve fund and limiting idle cash balances.
Governments should create a strategy for cash flow forecasting and analysis. This course will provide an overview of cash flow forecasting activities, discuss details of what is included in a cash flow analysis and how to conduct one, and outline the type of information governments should be tracking in order to conduct an accurate analysis.
Learning Objectives:
Member Price: $85.00
Non-member Price: $170.00
Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., SIFMA president and chief executive officer, and Leslie Norwood, managing director, associate general counsel and head of the municipal division, recently sat down with The Bond Buyer’s Kyle Glazier and Lynne Funk to discuss SIFMA’s 2021 advocacy and regulatory priorities for the municipal market, including the ways in which the industry stands ready to work with our nation’s policymakers to address the infrastructure funding shortfall and rebuild our communities.
For more information, listen to the full podcast.
February 11, 2021
The 1st Annual Federal Funds Fair, March 22 and 24, is an opportunity for members and interested finance professionals to learn about federal grants available to state and local governments. Hosted by speakers from federal agencies issuing state and local grants, attendees will get the chance to become familiar with different federal grant programs that could benefit their communities.
Click here to learn more and to register.
February 9, 2021 | 1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET
Details:
School districts are planning for fiscal year 2022 facing a wide range of significant uncertainties • none of which are likely to go away in the short term or be easily remedied. Revenue projections continue to fluctuate, enrollment forecasts face added challenges from remote learning, and costs associated to COVID mitigations will continue. In addition, districts will be working to support students who begin the 2021-22 school year with greater needs than ever before. Addressing these challenges will take significant thought and work to develop a transformed vision. As part of these discussions districts will need to rethink past spending patterns to free up resources and balance budgets and to make foundational investments to support students. To address these challenges, finance officers and district leaders should revise their budgeting and planning processes for fiscal year 2022 and beyond, to be more flexible, data-driven, and grounded in new needs.
Member Price: $85.00
Non-member Price: $170.00
The NFMA Education Committee is pleased to announce a series of Advanced Webinars, to be held on Thursdays at 1:00 PM Eastern Time, beginning January 28 through February 18. Topics include:
Registration the Advanced Webinars is complimentary for NFMA members as a benefit of membership. Non-members may register at a cost of $100/webinar.
Go to the NFMA Calendar to register for these events.
These programs are not open to the press.
Want to enhance your tax knowledge and expertise in public finance? Here’s your best opportunity to engage in high-level discussions and network with your colleagues at The Institute: Virtual 2021, March 3-5, 2021. Throughout the three days, there are several tax-focused sessions including:
Forward Deliveries – Documentation, Tax and Disclosure Issues will discuss issues including: the basic mechanics to a forward delivery (what it is and how it works), documentation pitfalls and things to look out for, identifying tax issues, disclosing information about the purchase agreement and associated risks. Chair Christine E. Reynolds, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP, Portland, OR
Tax Audits; VCAP; and Ruling Requests – Practical Considerations (PRACTITIONERS ONLY/CLOSED SESSION) will cover recent tax audit experiences and practical issues encountered in VCAP and ruling requests. The discussion will focus on practice tips instead of IRS organizational and hierarchical matters. The panel will discuss how to submit a PLR and review considerations in requesting a particular form of guidance. Chair Carol L. Lew, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, Newport Beach, CA
Taxable Municipal Bonds – Documentation, Tax and Disclosure Issues will address the pronounced increase since 2020 in the issuance of taxable bonds by states and municipalities as well as 501(c)(3) borrowers, including tax, securities, disclosure, and market issues. Tax issues include complications relating to taxable refundings of tax-exempt bonds, structuring taxable bonds to be able to be refunded tax-exempt, and potential UBIT issues for 501(c)(3) issuers. Disclosure issues to discuss include short form vs. long form taxable bond disclosure and other considerations. Chair Kristin H.R. Franceschi, DLA Piper LLP (US)
Working With Working Capital will address all aspects of working capital financings and the associated considerations undertaken by tax counsel. The session will include discussion on short-term, long-term, and extraordinary working capital financings, as well as an in-depth analysis of which amounts constitute available amounts. Chair Brent L. Feller, Chapman and Cutler LLP, Chicago, IL
These sessions will provide you with great insights and ideas that you can implement back in your practice. Check out the full agenda.
Don’t miss your chance to earn 10.5 CLE hours and save $100 off the regular registration rate by signing up by Friday, February 12, 2021!
Click here to learn more and to register.
February 2 – February 5, 2021
Session 1 – The Government Environment and Fund Accounting
The Government Environment and its Impact
Funds and Fund Types
Measurement Focus and Basis of Accounting
Session 2 – Governmental Fund Accounting
Categories of Events and Transactions
Governmental Fund Revenue Recognition
Governmental Fund Expenditures
Other Financing Sources and Uses
Session 3 – Governmental Fund Reporting
Financial Statement Elements
Governmental Fund Financial Statements
Session 4 – Proprietary Fund Accounting and Reporting
Enterprise Funds
Internal Service Funds
Proprietary Fund Financial Statements
Session 5 – Fiduciary Fund and Component Unit Accounting and Financial Reporting
Identifying Component Units
Fiduciary Activities
Fiduciary Fund Accounting
Fiduciary Fund Financial Statements
Component Unit Reporting
Session 6 – Government-wide Financial Reporting
Interfund Activity
Government-wide Financial Statements
Session 7 – Completing the Basic Financial Statements
Supplementary Information, and comprehensive annual financial reports
Note Disclosures
Budgetary Reporting
Required Supplementary Information
Overview of a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Learning Objectives:
Those who successfully complete this series should obtain a solid understanding of each of the following:
Member Price: $490.00
Non-member Price: $980.00
Click here to learn more and to register.
Today, NABL released a Multifamily Housing Webinar, as part of the “201 Series” on NABL U Now, NABL’s On-Demand Library. Panelists Faith Li Pettis, Pacifica Law Group LLP, Seattle, WA and Justin Cooper, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, San Francisco, CA, discuss common themes in multifamily deal structures and current topics in the multifamily housing bond arena.
This 60-minute webinar covers issues related to multifamily housing financing including private activity bonds, private placements, two step financing, tax issues, and set asides. The materials presented in the webinar are beyond the introductory materials presented at prior Workshops, but it does not assume the level of experience required for the Multifamily Advanced Panel, also presented at prior Workshops. (If you would like a refresher course, prior to purchasing the 201 webinar, the Multifamily Housing Introductory session recorded at The Workshop 2019, is available for purchase, here.)
The new webinar costs $99 members/$299 for nonmembers.
Portfolio Managers’ Perspectives on Identifying Value and Navigating Municipal Credit in 2021
Date: Friday, January 22, 2021
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Location: Zoom Webinar
Details:
The coronavirus pandemic is one of many major global events that have significantly impacted the financial markets since the first US municipal bond was issued over 200 years ago. Unlike many past bouts of market volatility, the price dislocations driven by technical imbalances that occurred last March across every financial market took place purely on the expectations of deterioration in fundamentals, as it took weeks or even months for the initial credit impact of the pandemic to be quantified through municipal and corporate financial statements.
The best investment that asset managers had made prior to the pandemic was in the form of people and technology, as arming their experienced investment teams with data-driven credit modeling analytics enabled judicious sell decisions during the initial wave of redemptions and wise purchases as the markets were flooded with liquidity. The crisis provided the ultimate proving ground for the application of new technologies in the investment processes, as being able to rapidly assess the financial impact of state/city lockdowns became imperative in making enlightened investment decisions for their clients.
The outlook for municipal credit has changed disproportionally as a direct result of the pandemic, with the heightened level of uncertainty creating an ideal opportunity for asset managers who have the expertise and analytics to effectively identify price inefficiencies versus credit risk. What were the lessons learned by municipal bond investors during 2020? What enhancements were made to the investment process that enabled investors to better navigate the crisis? What do portfolio managers view as the longer term impact of the pandemic on the public finance?
Our Speakers:
David Hammer, Executive Vice President, Pacific Investment Management Company
Mr. Hammer is an executive vice president in the Newport Beach office and head of municipal bond portfolio management, with oversight of the firm’s municipal investment grade, high yield, taxable, and separately managed accounts. Prior to rejoining PIMCO in 2015, he was a managing director at Morgan Stanley, where he was head of municipal trading, risk management, and research.
Hector Negroni, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Foundation Credit
Mr. Negroni is the Founder and CEO of Foundation Credit, CIO of the Foundation Credit Opportunities strategy and Chairman of the Foundation Infrastructure Opportunities strategy. Mr. Negroni has been a pioneer in the municipal market over the last three decades, leading innovation in investing and proprietary trading, public/private financing, derivatives, securitized products and a broad range of structured solutions. Prior to forming Foundation, he was the head of municipal trading at Goldman Sachs and before joining Goldman, he worked at Société Générale, Lazard Fréres and Citigroup in a variety of leadership roles.
Mark Paris, Chief Investment Officer, Invesco
Mr. Paris is CIO and Head of Municipal Strategies for Invesco Fixed Income. In this capacity, he is responsible for the oversight and implementation of all municipal bond strategies. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Paris was a trader and then a portfolio manager on the municipal fixed income team at Morgan Stanley/Van Kampen, which he joined in 2002.
The discussion will be moderated by Chris Fenske, Head of Fixed Income Research for the Americas at IHS Markit.
NOTE: This webinar is closed to the press and will NOT be recorded.
Cost: Free for members of MAGNY and NFMA, $45 for non-NFMA members
Questions? Contact Email: programchair@magny.org
To register for the Portfolio Managers webinar on January 22, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET, click here.
e-Learning Course
January 27, 2021 – February 2, 2021
Details:
This course will focus on preparing students to participate in an ERP implementation project. Participants will learn the different approaches ERP companies use to install systems. The ERP implementation process will be broken down and examined from pre-implementation to post-implementation. Special emphasis will be placed on project readiness and critical steps that all governments should be doing BEFORE contracting with a software vendor. Additionally, the class will highlight the expectations of the vendor and the customer during the implementation process. Participants will learn how to set up appropriate project governance, identify goals, define requirements, prepare an RFP, evaluate vendors, and ultimately begin momentum for a successful implementation.
Who Will Benefit: Any staff involved with planning, procuring, or implementing an ERP system in the near future
Learning Objectives:
Member Price: $420.00
Non-member Price: $840.00
Click here to learn more and to register.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is one of the most effective, affordable development finance tools for advancing clean energy goals. PACE offers significant opportunities for a wide range of energy efficiency improvements and energy generation projects by utilizing special assessment district financing techniques. The CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series will highlight innovative approaches and best practices for using this tool, current challenges facing practitioners, and future prospects for PACE.
This series will include five, two-hour webinars. Experts from the PACE industry will present on key topics and discuss them with attendees through workshop-style engagement:
Retroactive PACE
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
How PACE Gets Utilized Across All Market Segments
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Advancing Multi-Family Housing & Renewable Energy Goals with PACE
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Best Practices for Marketing & Selling PACE Across All Market Sectors
Tuesday, September 28 2021
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
PACE 2.0 – The Next 10 Years
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The CDFA-Bricker PACE Webinar Series is a free, 5-part offering available from January to November. Those interested in attending the series can register for individual webinars or all five at once. Can’t make the live webinar? No problem. Webinars will be recorded and made available online.
Thank you to Bricker & Eckler LLP for their generous support of this important webinar series!
Click here to learn more and to register.