Bond Case Briefs

Municipal Finance Law Since 1971

Events

Moody's Introduction to Public Finance Seminar.

This seminar provides delegates with an understanding of the contextual framework of the U.S. public finance market, as well as the tools to begin analyzing key public finance credits. Using case studies, spreadsheets and group discussions, the course covers municipalities, state government, special authorities, essential purpose revenue bonds, and higher education, and also introduces the sectors of health care and housing.

For more information on dates, locations, and registration, click here.

The Bond Buyer's Texas Public Finance Conference.

The Bond Buyer’s Texas Public Finance Conference features more than a dozen in-depth sessions focused on the issues facing the Lone Star State in 2015 and beyond. Each presentation was carefully designed to reflect the pressing issues of the day.

February 9-11, 2015 | Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa | Austin, TX

This is your opportunity to download the brochure and preview the topics that will be covered at the event. Register today at our discount rates!

The Bond Buyer’s Texas Public Finance Conference boasts a portfolio bursting at the seams with content driven sessions, dynamic speakers, networking opportunities that are a proven catalyst in making the deals, and much more. You cannot afford to pass up this opportunity!

Issuers pay only $245, Institutional Investors $495 and All Other Professionals $1,095. For more information, or to register, please contact Austin Hart at (212) 803-8388.

Webinar on MSRB Rule G-18 on Best Execution of Transactions in Municipal Securities.

Date: Thursday, February 5, 2015

Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

Description: The MSRB will host a webinar to review recently approved changes to MSRB Rule G-18 on best execution, which will require municipal securities dealers to seek the most favorable terms reasonably available for their retail customers’ transactions. The new rule, effective December 7, 2015, will establish standards for how dealers handle and execute customer orders for municipal securities.

IRS Tax Exempt Bonds Director’s Updates for Fiscal Year 2015.

When: February 5, 2015; 2 p.m. (Eastern)

Learn about:

Market segment program
Voluntary Closing Agreement Program, including new processes
Customer satisfaction surveys
Compliance checks and surveys
Other activities

FINRA Disciplinary Hearings Forum.

The SIFMA FINRA Disciplinary Hearings Forum

February 12, 2015
SIFMA Conference Center, NYC

SIFMA’s FINRA Disciplinary Hearings Forum is a half-day interactive program that will provide valuable insights and practice tips both for lawyers experienced in FINRA proceedings and those new to the forum.

Panelists will include FINRA’s Chief Hearing Officer, FINRA’s Head of Litigation, and other senior officers from FINRA’s Office of Hearing Officers and Department of Enforcement.

Topics to be covered include:

The Office of Hearing Officers role in administering disciplinary proceedings
The complaint, answer, pre-hearing conference, and settlement and mediation
Discovery, motions practice, and pre-hearing submissions
Hearings, the decision, sanctions, and appeal

Please join us at this first-class event, moderated by seasoned practitioners from the defense bar, for a deep dive into the inner workings of a FINRA disciplinary hearing.

Read the program.

The CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast.

The CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series is aimed at addressing real-time issues through the perspective of the industry’s top leaders, giving the entire development finance industry access to these critical discussions. The Webcast Series will include panels of speakers discussing topics, challenges, opportunities and critical issues within the capital markets, municipal bond, state and local finance, and general economic development communities. Webcasts are also recorded and saved for future review by individuals not able to attend the live presentations.

Upcoming Webcasts

Topic: Muni Market Momentum – Forecasting 2015

January 20, 2015
@ 1:00 pm Eastern

Despite many predictions, the municipal bond market experienced a year of strength and low rates throughout 2014. The interplay of declining supply with heightened demand allowed for a year of increased sales, falling rates, and generally improving credit. Will the muni market continue to feel success and stability as we move into 2015? During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, our expert panel will examine last year’s trends and consider volume estimates, rate predictions, and other factors that could influence the municipal bond market in 2015.

Speakers:

Rena Nakashima, moderator
Senior Project Manager
The Bank of New York Mellon

Amy Laskey
Managing Director
Fitch Ratings

Natalie Cohen
Managing Director
Wells Fargo Securities

Michael Decker
Managing Director, Co-Head of the Municipal Securities Division
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association

Click on the Register button below to confirm your participation and receive login information. Registration is free and open to all interested stakeholders.

Continuing Disclosure After MCDC: Complimentary Webinar

Complimentary Web Seminar sponsored by the Bond Buyer, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, and BLX Group LLC

February 5, 2015
12 pm ET/9 am PT

Click Here to Register

The SEC’s Municipal Continuing Disclose Compliance Initiative has shone a spotlight on continuing disclosure. It signals aggressive enforcement by the SEC and raises the stakes for compliance by Issuers, Borrowers and Underwriters.

Topics to be addressed in the webinar include:

What have we learned about continuing disclosure from MCDC?
What should new official statements say about continuing disclosure compliance?
What should be considered in drafting new Continuing Disclosure Agreements?
What policies and procedures should issuers, borrowers and underwriters employ?
What tools and services are available to assist or monitor compliance?

This webinar will provide practical guidance from the experts in the Public Finance Group at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and BLX Group LLC that were deeply involved in advising clients about MCDC:

Elaine Greenberg, Partner, Washington, DC
Alison Radecki, Partner, NY
Eileen Heitzler, Partner, NY
Robert Feyer, Senior Counsel, SF
Jeff Higgins, BLX Group

IRS Webinar: Gaming and Tax-Exempt Organizations.

Thursday, January 22 at 2 p.m. ET

Learn about:

Gaming’s impact on tax-exempt status
Gaming and unrelated business income
Maintaining records
Reporting requirements
Workers conducting gaming activities
Reporting winnings and withholding income tax
Gaming Excise taxes
IRS resources

S&P Live Webcast and Q&A: U.S. Not-For-Profit Acute-Care Stand-Alone Hospitals Criteria.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at 2:00 PM EST

Please join Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time for a live Webcast and Q&A on our recently published revised criteria for U.S. not-for-profit acute-care stand-alone hospitals.

NABL Ethics Teleconference Replay: A Disturbance in the Regulatory Forcefield.

To listen to a recorded version of the teleconference click here.

Date/Time: Wednesday, December 17, 2014, 1:00-2:30pm Eastern

Description: With the rise in the number and scope of audits, investigations and regulatory initiatives of the IRS and the SEC in recent years, bond lawyers must now consider ethical scenarios which were previously unimaginable. This panel will focus on the application of the model rules of professional responsibility in situations involving these regulatory agencies and the previously unforeseen conflicts of interest that arise as a result.

To download the Teleconference Agenda click here.

Panelists:

Tyler Kalachnik (Ice Miller LLP)
Erik Long (Ice Miller LLP)
Arnold Pagniucci (ALAS – Chicago)
David Unkovic (McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC)
Philip Whistler (Ice Miller LLP)

CLE Information: You may receive ethics CLE credit for listening to the recorded version of the teleconference. NABL has applied for and anticipates receiving ethics CLE credit for between 1.5 and 1.8 hours in most states that accredit teleconferences. No credit will be available in Pennsylvania. To obtain CLE credit you must pay the CLE fee listed below and fill out the payment form. Be sure to include your CLE states and identifying numbers on the payment form. Certificates of Attendance will be e-mailed to you , and credit hours will be reported to those states that require sponsors to report credit.

CLE Fees: $195 for members; $250 for non-members

Summer Program Unveiled for Treasury Management.

Public pension fund trustees and other financial professionals can go back to school, in Malibu, Calif., no less, thanks to a new partnership between the National Institute for Public Finance and Pepperdine University.

The new Public Treasury Management program will be July 26-29, at Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Business and Management. Treasurers, investment staff, pension fund trustees and other finance professionals will earn a certificate after taking courses that include investments and pensions, public finance and debt management, and executive treasury management. Faculty members include public- and private-sector professionals and academic leaders.

The program will cover current public finance issues, industry best practices and strategies for dealing with public finance challenges. “The culmination of best practices, strategies, and ideas from private-sector, public finance and academic leaders makes the institute an invaluable learning experience,” said NIPF Co-Chairwoman and North Carolina state Treasurer Janet Cowell in a news release.

The enrollment deadline is June 15.

PENSIONS & INVESTMENTS ONLINE

BY HAZEL BRADFORD | DECEMBER 22, 2014

S&P: U.S. Waterworks, Sanitary Sewer and Drainage Utility Systems - New York.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at 8:30 AM EST

Please join us for roundtable discussions focused on the recent release of the request for comment on proposed criteria changes to ratings for U.S. waterworks, sanitary sewer and drainage utility systems.

S&P: U.S. Waterworks, Sanitary Sewer and Drainage Utility Systems - Boston.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at 8:30 AM EST

S&P: U.S. Waterworks, Sanitary Sewer and Drainage Utility Systems - Chicago.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at 11:30 AM CST

S&P: U.S. Waterworks, Sanitary Sewer and Drainage Utility Systems - San Francisco.

Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 8:30 AM PST

S&P: U.S. Waterworks, Sanitary Sewer and Drainage Utility Systems - Dallas.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at 11:30 AM CST

MSRB "Diving into the Documents" Series: Where to Find Financial Disclosures on EMMA®

Thank you for participating in the MSRB’s free six-week video series on the fundamentals of municipal bond disclosure documents. The series is available in its entirety in the video library of the MSRB Education Center.

The final installment of the video series shows investors how to find financial disclosures on EMMA.

Watch now.

CDFA Fundamentals of Economic Finance WebCourse.

January 28-29, 2015. Daily: 12-5 pm (EST)

The Fundamentals of Economic Development Finance Course is the foundation for all of CDFA’s educational offerings. This course will help you understand the variety of development finance tools available, from bonds, tax credits and TIF, to federal financing programs, RLFs, and access to capital lending resources.

The Fundamentals Course is based on CDFA’s Practitioner’s Guide to Economic Development Finance, the only comprehensive reference guide dedicated to building and utilizing the development finance toolbox. The Practitioner’s Guide provides the insight and practical information needed to critically understand how economic development is financed and the tools, strategies and techniques used to build strong communities.

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.

By attending, you will:

Learn the fundamentals of development finance
Interact with leading development finance professionals from around the country
Discuss best practices and case studies that can be implemented in your community
Gain a greater understanding of the diversity of development finance tools
Establish a foundation for attending future in-depth financing courses
Receive a copy of the Practitioner’s Guide to Economic Development Finance

You will learn through:

Lecture
Real life case studies
Presentations from industry experts
A comprehensive resource guide

Topics covered include:

Understanding development finance
The financing spectrum
Building the development finance toolbox
Bedrock tools: bonds and the basics of public finance
Targeted tools: tax increment and special district financing
Investment tools: tax credits, seed and venture capital
Access to capital lending tools: revolving loan and mezzanine funds, loan guarantee and microenterprise programs
Support tools: federal, state, incentive and grants programs
Implementing the toolbox approach
Trends in development finance
Development finance challenges and policy considerations

Who should attend?

Bond issuers
Economic development professionals
Community development professionals
Broker, dealers and underwriters
Elected officials
Government and nonprofit finance officers
Corporate trustees
Legal counsel
Underwriters
Commercial bankers
Accountants
Financial advisors
Policy makers

Click here to view the Agenda and to Register.

MSRB "Diving into the Documents" Series: What's Inside Financial Disclosure Documents.

What’s Inside Financial Disclosure Documents

The fifth installment of the MSRB’s six-week investor education video series delves into the information inside a financial disclosure document.

Watch now.

Next week: Where to Find Financial Disclosures on EMMA®

S&P's 2014 U.S. Muni Roundup: The Changing Landscape of the Municipal Market.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014, at 11:00 AM EST

Join us for a webinar that will recap highlights and market movements from the 2014 U.S. municipal market and provide a glance into 2015. Speakers from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and S&P Capital IQ will discuss the latest local government criteria, the impact of downgrades and upgrades on pricing, the key warning signs and risk factors (using Detroit as an example), and much more.

Topics of discussion will include:

Secondary market activity
Transaction costs
Local government ratings performance
What Detroit and Stockton mean for our local government ratings
Credit conditions and potential challenges for local governments
Techniques to estimate a municipal recovery analysis
Early warning default indicators
Tips on how to better manage your own municipal risk rating tool

SIFMA's Compliance & Legal Society Annual Seminar.

SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar | March 15-18, 2015 | JW Marriott Desert Ridge

View the Program

Early Bird Rates Available

SIFMA’s Compliance & Legal Society is pleased to present the program for this year’s Annual Seminar from March 15-18 in Phoenix, Arizona. With more than 65 dynamic panels and sessions, register today at an early bird rate to hear the latest developments impacting the compliance and legal space from our industry’s experts and regulators.

MSRB and FINRA to Host Webinar on Proposals to Provide Pricing Reference Information to Investors.

Alexandria, VA – The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) are hosting a joint educational webinar on companion rule proposals that would require disclosure of pricing reference information on customer confirmations for transactions in fixed income securities. The free webinar will take place Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. ET. The goal of the webinar is to help market participants submit meaningful comments in response to the rule proposals.

Read the MSRB’s rule proposal.

Read FINRA’s rule proposal.

During the webinar, staff from the MSRB and FINRA will review the organizations’ respective proposals, which are substantially similar but seek input on factors unique to the corporate and municipal bond markets. Under the two proposals, bond dealers in retail-sized fixed income transactions would be required to disclose on the customer’s confirmation the price of certain same-day principal trades in the same security, as well as the difference between this reference price and the customer’s price.

The MSRB and FINRA proposals have asked for input on likely economic implications and alternative regulatory approaches, including a potential markup disclosure requirement targeting trades that could be considered riskless principal transactions. Comments should be submitted to the MSRB and FINRA no later than January 20, 2015.

Date: November 25, 2014

Contact: Jennifer A. Galloway, Chief Communications Officer
(703) 797-6600
[email protected]

GFOA’s 109th Annual Conference.

Join fellow finance professionals to gain practical advice and learn effective techniques to meet the continuing challenges facing the public and private sector during GFOA’s 109th annual conference. The conference will take place on May 31-June 3, 2015, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This year’s theme is Innovation and Resilience. Registration for the conference is open on GFOA’s website. Sign up early and take advantage of discounted registration fees.

Registration:

Top reasons to attend:

Mix and match technical sessions to best fit your financial management training needs.
Sessions cover topics on accounting, auditing, and financial reporting; budgeting; capital planning and economic development; debt management; financial management; pension and benefit administration; and treasury and investment management;
Preconference seminars on topics vitally important to finance officers;
An opportunity to earn continuing professional education (CPE) credits;
General sessions featuring nationally recognized speakers on topics of interest to public finance professionals;
An exhibit hall offering a wealth of practical solutions to a broad range of professional challenges; and
Social events that create a unique opportunity to build relationships and network with peers from across the country and around the world.

Keep watch on your mail in the coming weeks to receive a hard copy of the conference brochure. We look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia! Questions? Contact the GFOA.

More information:

Conference Brochure

Housing Information:

Hotel listings and map
Reserve your housing online
Hotel reservation form

Tours:

Tour Information
Registration form

For more information for activities for your stay in Philadelphia, go to www.discoverphl.com/gfoa/.

CDFA-Stifel Small, Medium & Rural Community Development Finance Solutions Webcast Series.

The CDFA-Stifel Small, Medium & Rural Community Development Finance Solutions Webcast Series is a special four-part national webcast series focused on recommended practices and innovative solutions for financing economic development in small towns and rural communities across the country. Each webcast will explore the unique financing challenges facing these communities and consider how bonds, tax credits, tax increment finance, federal programs, and other sources can be used in combination to develop successful projects. The webcast series is free to join and is part of CDFA’s ongoing leadership efforts to promote the sound use of development finance tools.

Upcoming Webcasts

Topic: Paving the Way to Sustainable Rural Infrastructure & Energy Financing

December 2, 2014
@ 1:00 pm Eastern

Infrastructure and energy developments make up the back-bone of modern day society. These expensive elements can be a challenge to finance however, especially for rural communities with dispersed populations, large stretches of land, and limited financing options. How does Small-Town-America compile enough capital to support outdated energy grids, aging roads and bridges, leaky water systems, or slow-to-none broadband access? CDFA in collaboration with Stifel will reveal a number of targeted financing solutions to revitalize rural infrastructure and energy systems in the final installment of the CDFA – Stifel Small, Medium and Rural Community Development Finance Solutions Webcast Series.

Click on the Register button below to confirm your participation and receive login information. Registration is free and open to all interested stakeholders.

Previous Webcasts

View Previous Webcasts

MSRB "Diving into the Documents" Series: Why Financial Disclosure Matters.

Why Financial Disclosure Matters

The fourth installment of the MSRB’s six-week investor education video series explores the importance of financial disclosures for investors.

Watch now.

Next week: What’s Inside Financial Disclosure Documents

NABL's 13th Annual Tax & Securities Law Institute.

Mar 5–6, 2015 | Hyatt Regency New Orleans | New Orleans, Louisiana

It’s not April in Paris or autumn in New York – it’s March in New Orleans for TSLI at last. You can get here by caravan or night train (not the A train), but how ever you get here join your colleagues from around the country for in-depth discussions of the current topics in municipal finance. We have had many excellent TSLI sessions in the past, but the best is yet to come. There will also be opportunities to get together informally and share ideas. You can take five between sessions or go right up to around midnight. This year’s TSLI promises to be one of the milestones, but it won’t mean a thing if you don’t make it. So come rain or come shine, join us in New Orleans!

Attendance & Registration

The Institute is designed for individuals who have five or more years of experience in the municipal finance area. It is open only to NABL members.

Download the brochure for more information.

Registration Costs:

$795 per NABL member*

TSLI is a NABL members-only event. All Institute attendees must be paid NABL members at the time of the event. Interested in joing NABl and attending TSLI?

Join NABL today

How to Register:

Online: Click here to register online.

Mail, email, or fax: Click here to download the printable registration form (PDF).

Hotel Reservations

The Institute will take place in the luxurious Hyatt Regency New Orleans, located in downtown New Orleans. Just blocks away from the French Quarter and the Mississipi Riverfront, the Loyola Avenue Streetcar passes directly in front of the hotel, offering easy, relaxing access to tourist attractions, shops, and restaurants.

The group guestroom rate is $269 per night single/double occupancy. This rate includes complimentary in-room internet service and access to the hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness center.

A limited block of guestrooms is being held for attendees on March 4 and 5. All reservations are based on space and rate availability. A non-refundable deposit will be required at the time of reservation.

For Reservations:

Call 1-888-591-1234 and identify yourself as being with NABL to receive the group rate.

Reserve your room online.

S&P 2014 Project Finance & Infrastructure Hot Topics Conference.

Please join Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services analysts at our Annual Project Finance & Infrastructure Hot Topics Conference. This year’s agenda features guest speakers from Bentek and the Department of Energy, along with a panel discussion on the trends in the power market and another panel discussing North America public private partnerships.

Date: December 2, 2014

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location:
McGraw Hill Financial
1221 Avenue of the
Americas
Auditorium – 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10020

Registration for this event is complimentary.

Click here to view the agenda.

This year’s half-day event will take place at McGraw Hill Financial’s auditorium in New York and will include presentations addressing the following topics:

Standard & Poor’s view of market issues and rating trends
Bentek’s outlook for commodity prices
Panel discussion on trends in power
Lessons learned from twenty years of rating project finance debt
Panel discussion on infrastructure and public private partnership trends

Click here to register for this event.

Please contact the Standard & Poor’s Events Marketing Department at +1-212-438-2800 or at [email protected] with any questions relating to this event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Steve Dreyer, Managing Director
Lead Analytical Manager – U.S. Infrastructure Ratings
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services

David Lundberg, Managing Director
Analytical Manager – Midstream Energy & Merchant Power Ratings
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services

Anne Selting, Senior Director
Analytical Manager – Infrastructure & Renewable Energy
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services

NABL Ethics Teleconference.

NABL will present a teleconference, “Ethics Teleconference: A Disturbance in the Regulatory Forcefield”, on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, from 1:00-2:30pm Eastern.

With the rise in the number and scope of audits, investigations and regulatory initiatives of the IRS and the SEC in recent years, bond lawyers must now consider ethical scenarios which were previously unimaginable. This panel will focus on the application of the model rules of professional responsibility in situations involving these regulatory agencies and the previously unforeseen conflicts of interest that arise as a result.

The teleconference will cost $195 for members and $250 for non-members. CLE ethics credit will be available.

For online registration and for more information click here.

Registration closes Monday, December 15. Registrants will receive log-in instructions on Tuesday, December 16.

MSRB "Diving into the Documents" Series: Where to Find Official Statements on EMMA.

Where to Find Official Statements on EMMA®

The third installment of the MSRB’s six-week investor education video series shows investors how to find a bond’s official statement anytime on EMMA.

Watch now.

Next week: Why Financial Disclosure Matters

CDFA Intro to Tax Increment Finance WebCourse.

The Intro Tax to Increment Finance WebCourse offers an in-depth look at the guiding principles and appropriate application of TIF. This course brings TIF deal-making and best practices into focus through a two-day program targeting the entire TIF community including economic developers, public agency representatives, bond issuers, legal professionals, developers, financial advisors, and other stakeholders.

December 9-10, 2014.

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.

By attending, you will:

Learn the building blocks of TIF and essential best practice principles
Dissect TIF deals from start to finish including community buy-in, redevelopment planning, bond issuance and post-project monitoring
Understand TIF bond issuance and mechanics
Examine project- and district-based TIF approaches
Explore the benefits of using special districts, credits and overlays
Receive a copy of the Tax Increment Finance Best Practices Reference Guide

You will learn through:

Real life case studies
Interactive, small group exercises
Presentations from industry experts
A comprehensive resource guide

Topics covered include:

The basics of TIF
How to create a TIF
Typical improvements
Site-specific vs. district-wide approaches
Addressing community buy-in
Financing variations
Credits and overlays
Case studies

Who should attend?

Bond issuers
Economic development professionalsCommunity development professionals
Broker, dealers and underwriters
Elected officials
Government and nonprofit finance officers
Corporate trustees
Legal counsel
Underwriters
Commercial bankers
Accountants

To view the Agenda and Register, click here.

Moody's Seminar: Financial Analysis of Local Governments.

This seminar provides an in-depth workshop on the financial statements seen in U.S. public finance. With real-world case studies, delegates will learn where to find information in an audit, what the line items mean, and key ratios and trend analysis used by Moody’s analysts.

For more information, and to register, click here.

Webcast: GASB Proposes New Tax Abatement Disclosure Rule.

Upcoming Webcast

November 18, 2014
@ 1:00 pm Eastern

Topic: GASB Proposes New Tax Abatement Disclosure Rule

In October, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued a Proposed Statement on Tax Abatement Disclosures, calling for greater transparency and reporting by state and local governments related to the tax abatements they provide. The proposed rule calls for disclosure of the criteria used to determine taxpayer eligibility, the dollar amount of taxes abated, commitments taxpayers make in return for the abatement, among others. During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, our expert panel will explain the basics of the proposed rule, how this could affect state and local government reporting, and the process for submitting comments.

Speakers:

Dean Michael Mead
Research Manager
Governmental Accounting Standards Board

Greg LeRoy
Executive Director
Good Jobs First

Rena Nakashima, Moderator
Senior Product Manager
The Bank of New York Mellon

Click on the Register button below to confirm your participation and receive login information. Registration is free and open to all interested stakeholders.

GFOA 19th Annual Governmental GAAP Update (Rebroadcast).

Training Type: Live-Streaming
Course Status: Repeat Offering
Date and Time: Dec 4 2014 – 1:00pm to 5:00pm EST
CPE Credits: 4
Member Price: $180.00
Non-Member Price: $195.00
Prerequisite: Intermediate Governmental Accounting (or equivalent = basic understanding of GAAP for state and local governments)
Speakers: Stephen J. Gauthier – Director – GFOA

Program Description: The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) will offer its 19th Annual Governmental GAAP Update on November 6, 2014, and again on December 4, 2014, using the latest live video and audio streaming technology. The seminar offers an incomparable opportunity to learn everything you need to know about the most recent developments in accounting and financial reporting for state and local governments from the convenience of your own computer. Enjoy all the benefits of the highest quality continuing professional education without the time and expense of travel. Sign up with your colleagues and take advantage of special group rates.

This years Annual Governmental GAAP Update will provide comprehensive coverage of the most recent developments in accounting and financial reporting for state and local governments, including:

Final guidance from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) on measurement approaches (GASB Concepts Statement No. 6);
Changes to the GASBs Comprehensive Implementation Guide;
New GASB implementation guidance on pensions for employers;
Proposed GASB concepts statement on fair value measurement and application (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statement on fiduciary responsibilities (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statements on other postemployment benefits OPEB (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statement on pensions outside the scope of latest GASB pension standards (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statement on the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles (exposure draft);
Emerging GASB guidance on leases (forthcoming exposure draft);
Emerging GASB guidance on tax abatement disclosures (forthcoming preliminary views document);
New Financial Accounting Foundation consultation process policy on GASB Scope of Authority;
GASB Technical Plan; and
Common reporting deficiencies.

Seminar Objectives:

Participants in this years GAAP Update should obtain a practical understanding of:

How the measurement of assets and liabilities may change;
How to implement the GASBs latest pension guidance for employers;
How governments in the future may be asked to determine in a given situation whether trust fund reporting is necessary;
How OPEB accounting will probably change fundamentally to conform to the latest pension guidance;
How the GAAP hierarchy for state and local governments will soon be amended;
How lease accounting is headed toward substantial change;
What disclosures may be required in connection with tax abatements;
Other issues the GASB is exploring; and
How to avoid common reporting deficiencies.

Before the day of the presentation, we ask that you please follow the instructions in the below links to test your computer. Please note: The tests should be completed from the same computer that you will use to view the GAAP Update. If you are participating with a group of people, only one individual needs to perform the test on the computer that will be used to view the GAAP Update program.

Click here to watch the instructional video.

Click here to test your browser.

Need tech support assistance? Click here to e-mail your questions or call the help line at 1.800.274.9390.

Agenda: Download
Registration Form: Brochure and Registration Form
Other Documents: Frequently Asked Questions

NFMA Seminar: America’s Urban Agenda and Its Impact Upon the Municipal Bond Market.

The National Federation of Municipal Analyst’s Education Committee has released the program for it’s January Advanced Seminar, entitled America’s Urban Agenda and Its Impact Upon The Municipal Bond Market. The seminar will take place on January 22 & 23 in Houston, Texas at the Four Seasons Houston.

To view the program, click here: January Advanced Seminar.

To register online, click here: Online Registration.

MSRB "Diving into the Documents" Series: Why Official Statements Matter.

Why Official Statements Matter

Welcome to the first installment of the MSRB’s six-week investor education video series on key disclosure documents in the municipal market. Today’s video explores the importance of official statements for investors.

Watch now.

Next week: What’s Inside an Official Statement

Introducing The Bond Buyer's National Outlook 2015 Conference.

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion at The Bond Buyer’s National Outlook 2015 Conference, January 27, 2015 at the Metropolitan Club in New York City. This timely conference will close the chapter on 2014 and look ahead to the challenges and opportunities awaiting the U.S. municipal market in 2015. Register Now at our Best Rates!

2014’s midterm elections made municipalities wary of new debt, driving down issuance for the first half of the year. The new year brings with it a new Congress and a new perspective on spending. Will government officials be open to new deals—or will they be forced to continue the current policy?

Topics to be covered include:

Trends Already Shaping Tomorrow’s Market
Long & Short-Term Implications of the MA Rule
Will Consolidation Continue?
Where The Deals Are: The Best Regions & Growing Markets

View the Agenda

A diverse audience of senior public-sector issuers, investors, investment bankers and lawyers will confront the market’s impending developments head-on with rigorous analysis to identify the real risks and assess when and how they will impact the future of the market.

Market leaders from all across the country will be attending. Don’t wait—reserve your spot for this trailblazing event today.

Register Today: Issuers ONLY $75, Institutional Investors $145 and All Other Professionals $695. Best rates expire soon. Contact Ingrid Olsen at (212) 803-8456 for more information or to register.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available
For information regarding sponsorships & exhibiting please contact Meghan Rath at
(212) 803-6074.

Ethical Considerations of the MCDC Program for Bond Lawyers Teleconference.

NABL will present a teleconference, “Ethical Considerations of the MCDC Program for Bond Lawyers”, on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, from 1:00-2:30pm Eastern. The teleconference will feature a panel of experienced practitioners discussing model rules relating to concurrent conflicts of interest, former client conflicts of interest and potential bond counsel liability. The teleconference will also examine strategies and methods to minimize risk to the bond lawyer serving in one or more capacities as counsel to the primary parties involved in the MCDC program.

The teleconference will cost $195 for members and $250 for non-members. CLE ethics credit will be available. For online registration and for more information click here. Registration closes Monday, December 15. Registrants will receive log-in instructions on Tuesday, December 16.

SIFMA Ethics Seminar - Webcast.

EARN 4.0 ETHICS CLE CREDITS

October 28, 2014 | 1:00 PM-6:00 PM EDT

LIVE VIDEO WEBCAST

Need Ethics CLE credits, but can’t attend SIFMA’s Ethics Seminar in person?

Register today to join via live video webcast and satisfy ALL of your New York Ethics CLE requirements during this half-day seminar.

Hear the top financial services discuss the ethical issues impacting the industry including:

Current SEC and CFTC Ethics Rules
Recent Internal Investigations
Privilege Issues
Client Relationships

View the Program and Register.

MCDC III Podcast is Now Available Online.

NABL members who missed the October 15 teleconference, “MCDC Teleconference III: The Issuer’s Deadline: Considerations and Ramifications of Self-Reporting” can now download the reordered podcast. To download this teleconference click here.

MCDC III builds upon the discussions in earlier teleconferences held on May 21 and August 6. which are also available for members to download here.

Intro Tax Increment Finance WebCourse.

December 9-10, 2014

The Intro Tax Increment Finance WebCourse offers an in-depth look at the guiding principles and appropriate application of TIF. This course brings TIF deal-making and best practices into focus through a two-day program targeting the entire TIF community including economic developers, public agency representatives, bond issuers, legal professionals, developers, financial advisors, and other stakeholders.

By attending, you will:

Learn the building blocks of TIF and essential best practice principles
Dissect TIF deals from start to finish including community buy-in, redevelopment planning, bond issuance and post-project monitoring
Understand TIF bond issuance and mechanics
Examine project- and district-based TIF approaches
Explore the benefits of using special districts, credits and overlays
Receive a copy of the Tax Increment Finance Best Practices Reference Guide

To learn more, and to register, click here.

GFOA's 19th Annual Governmental GAAP Update.

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) will offer its 19th Annual Governmental GAAP Update on November 6, 2014, and again on December 4, 2014, using the latest live video and audio streaming technology. The seminar offers an incomparable opportunity to learn everything you need to know about the most recent developments in accounting and financial reporting for state and local governments from the convenience of your own computer. Enjoy all the benefits of the highest quality continuing professional education without the time and expense of travel. Sign up with your colleagues and take advantage of special group rates.

This year’s Annual Governmental GAAP Update will provide comprehensive coverage of the most recent developments in accounting and financial reporting for state and local governments, including:

Final guidance from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) on measurement approaches (GASB Concepts Statement No. 6);
Changes to the GASB’s Comprehensive Implementation Guide;
New GASB implementation guidance on pensions for employers;
Proposed GASB concepts statement on fair value measurement and application (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statement on fiduciary responsibilities (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statements on other postemployment benefits – OPEB (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statement on pensions outside the scope of latest GASB pension standards (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statement on the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles (exposure draft);
Emerging GASB guidance on leases (forthcoming exposure draft);
Emerging GASB guidance on tax abatement disclosures (forthcoming preliminary views document);
New Financial Accounting Foundation consultation process policy on GASB Scope of Authority;
GASB Technical Plan; and
Common reporting deficiencies.

For more information, and to register, click here.

SIFMA Social Media Seminar.

SIFMA’s next Social Media Seminar will take place on October 23, 2014 in New York City. Coming back to New York from the west coast, this one-day event brings together experts across multiple fields to further explore the increasingly important issues our industry faces in light of the rapidly changing and growing tools of social media.

This seminar will feature panel discussions on marketing, business, and practitioner experience with social media, as well as, practical advice on the legal and compliance issues faced by the expanding use of interactive technology for business purposes.

For more information, and to register, click here.

S&P's 3rd Annual Municipal Bond Forum.

November 5 | New York

Join us for a complimentary half-day seminar on the municipal bond market and hear keynote speaker Dr. Paul Sheard, Chief Global Economist and Head of Global Economics and Research at Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, discuss his views on the economy.

Our distinguished panelists will also be joined by Lynnette Kelly, Executive Director of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB), who will share her thoughts on transparency and the changing muni regulatory environment.

Topics also include:

• Is short supply propping up muni prices?
• If rates are going up, why are longer-duration bonds outperforming the alternatives?
• Is short duration the preferred way to manage rising rate risk?

For more information, and to register, click here.

Webcast: Have the MA Regulations Stalled the Bond Market?

Topic: Have the MA Regulations Stalled the Bond Market?

October 21, 2014
@ 1:00 pm Eastern

Several Municipal Advisor regulations from the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) became effective on July 1 of this year. Since then, advisors, underwriters, and issuers have struggled to determine the best way to interact with one another, creating confusion in the bond markets. As a continuation of the discussion we hosted in February, this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series will explore the municipal advisor regulations in practice, how they have been received in the bond market, and what issuers should know about working with their team of professionals to complete a bond deal. Register today for this important discussion about understanding the role of the municipal advisor.

Speakers:

Tina Neal
Principal
Perseverance Capital Advisors LLC

Jeff Freese
Managing Director
KeyBanc Capital Markets

David Richardson
Partner
McGuire Woods LLP

Anitra Cassas
Partner
McGuire Woods LLP

Moderator
Rena Nakashima
Vice President
The Bank of New York Mellon

Registration is free and open to all interested stakeholders.

NABL MCDC Teleconference.

NABL will present a free, members-only teleconference, “MCDC III: The Issuer’s Deadline: Considerations and Ramifications of Self-Reporting”, on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, from 1:00-2:30pm Eastern.

Click here to register.

Registration closes Monday, October 13.

View the Program: "What Municipal Analysts Need to Know about Governmental Accounting" -- Oct. 24, NYC

Join SIFMA and MAGNY and instructor Dean Mead from the GASB for “What Municipal Analysts Need to Know about Governmental Accounting” on Oct. 24 at the SIFMA Conference Center in New York City. This session will provide in-depth instruction on the rules that state and local governments follow when accounting for and reporting their finances in audited financial reports. Registration includes a free copy of “An Analyst’s Guide to Government Financial Statements,” 2nd Edition, which will serve as the text for the session.

S&P: U.S. Local Governments General Obligation New Criteria – One Year Later.

Dallas – Chicago – San Francisco – New York – Boston

Please join us for roundtable discussions on the results one year after our release of the revised criteria for general obligation (GO) bonds issued by U.S. local governments.

These roundtables will be held in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Boston, and San Francisco. Click the link of each location to view the preliminary agenda for each city.

We invite you to join our team of credit analysts to discuss the ratings changes, distribution of ratings changes and other results of the criteria published in September 2013.

Registration is complimentary. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

Please reserve your place as soon as possible by clicking here.

Breakfast or lunch will be served.

Please feel free to forward this invitation to your colleagues.

We look forward to seeing you!

Reserve your seat at one of our roundtables, being held in Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, and Boston.

Dallas
Date: October 13, 2014
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Standard & Poor’s
Ratings Services
500 N. Akard Street
Concourse Level
Dallas, TX

Chicago
Date: October 14, 2014
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The Mid-America Club
200 East Randolph Drive
Burnham Ballroom C
80th Floor
Chicago, IL

San Francisco
Date: October 15, 2014
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Standard & Poor’s
Ratings Services
One California Street
31st Floor
San Francisco, CA

New York
Date: October 17, 2014
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Standard & Poor’s
Ratings Services
55 Water Street
37th Floor
New York, NY

Boston
Date: October 28, 2014
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Bank of America
Conference Center
5th Floor
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA

Sincerely,

Horacio Aldrete
Managing Director and Lead Analytical Manager
Co-Head of U.S. Public Finance Local Governments
Standard & Poor’s Rating Services
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (214) 871-1426

Jeffrey Previdi
Managing Director and Lead Analytical Manager
Co-Head of U.S. Public Finance Local Governments
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (212) 438-1796

Moody's Analytics: Financial Analysis of Local Governments.

November 3, 2014
New York

For more information and to register, click here.

GASB: What Municipal Analysts Need to Know about Governmental Accounting -- Oct. 24, NYC .

The Governmental Accounting Board (GASB) is joining SIFMA to present, “What Municipal Analysts Need to Know about Governmental Accounting.”

This seminar will provide in-depth instruction on the rules that state and local governments follow when accounting for and reporting their finances in audited financial reports. It will cover the basics from the perspective of the financial statement analyst, focusing on how the accounting standards affect the information that analysts receive, to the significant new changes to government financial reports that analysts have seen or will soon see, such as the new fund balance classifications, the appearance of deferrals and the forthcoming pension information.

Registration includes a free copy of “An Analyst’s Guide to Government Financial Statements,” 2nd Edition, which will serve as the text for the session.

NFMA Introduction to Municipal Bond Credit Analysis.

The National Federation of Municipal Analysts will hold its Introduction to Municipal Bond Credit Analysis on November 20 and 21 at Le Meridien in Philadelphia.

To view the topics to be covered, please click here to see the preliminary program.

To register for this event, click here.

SIFMA Advanced Muni Bond School.

Bond Club of NYSIFMA and the Municipal Bond Club of New York invite you to participate in this year’s Advanced Municipal Bond School. This weekly series will run from September 22 to October 27, 2014 at the SIFMA Conference Center in New York City. Webinar option available.

Join us for an innovative and informative program that guarantees your success and increases your industry knowledge while separating yourself from your peers. The Advanced Muni Bond School remains an important and integral building block for your career in municipal bonds not just through the educational process, but also by establishing a network for young professionals.

Educate – Classes include sessions on fundamental terminology, regulation, underwriting, trading, analysis, derivatives, public finance, portfolio management and market strategy.

Build – This annual course of instruction is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to all phases of the business, with emphasis on the mastery of basic skills and knowledge.

Network – Attendance in the recent past has exceeded 100 enrolled students. Speakers include leaders in the Municipal Bond industry from all the leading firms.

Webinar will be fully interactive and Q&A will be available.

View the Program.

Please Note: The entire series (all 5 classes) must be purchased at time of registration (no partial weeks will be allowed).

MSRB Webinar: Request for Comment on Extending MSRB Rule G-37 to Municipal Advisors.

Join the MSRB for a free educational webinar about its recent proposal to amend MSRB Rule G-37 to address the potential for pay-to-play activities by municipal advisors.

Date: Thursday, September 11, 2014

Time: 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. EDT

Description: MSRB staff will review the request for comment on draft amendments to Rule G-37, the MSRB’s pay-to-play rule for municipal securities dealers, that would extend the rule to municipal advisors.

Read the request for comment.

Bond Buyer Webinar: The Changing Landscape of Municipal Bankruptcy.

Complimentary Web Seminar
September 23, 2014
12 pm ET/9 am PT

Click Here to Register

Register for this Web Seminar –The landscape of municipal bankruptcy has been shaped during the past 6 years by the Vallejo, Stockton, Jefferson County, San Bernardino and Detroit chapter 9 cases, among others. Each of these cases has its own “personality,” and each has confronted novel legal questions, many of which are still in the process of being resolved by the courts.

One thing that rings true for all of them, however, is that as in chapter 11 cases, negotiated settlements are preferable to litigation. Or, as Judge Klein said in the Stockton case, “Chapter 9 is negotiation on steroids.” And bondholders are focused on the application of decisions of these cases to the restructuring of the debts issued by public entities in Puerto Rico, whether under the debt recovery act recently enacted by Puerto Rico, or chapter 9 (if amended to permit Commonwealth municipalities to file chapter 9 petitions).

Join the Bond Buyer and Orrick for a detailed webinar that will help to describe this changing landscape and discuss some of the strategies and legal challenges that have arisen, including the following topics:

The landscape of “good faith” in chapter 9 for both for debtors and creditors
The impact of security features for bonds: special revenues, restricted funds and statutory liens
When is a GO a secured obligation?
The impact of chapter 9 on post-employment benefits (pensions and health care)
Myths and realities about the scope of the bankruptcy court’s power in chapter 9

Speakers:

John Knox
Partner, Public Finance Dept.
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Marc Levinson
Partner, Restructuring Group
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Lorraine McGowen
Partner, Restructuring Group
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

IRS Webcast: Maintaining Tax Exempt Financing for Qualified 501(c)(3) Bonds.

What: Free webcast – Maintaining Tax Exempt Financing for Qualified 501(c)(3) Bonds

When: Tuesday September 9, 2014; noon (Eastern)

Learn about:

Private business use relative to 501(c)(3) organizations and their tax-advantaged financings.
Most common types of private business use, including: leases, management contracts, and research agreements.
Importance of compliance procedures related to private business use.
Only the law concerning tax-exempt bonds will be discussed.

What else: The IRS is offering 1 hour Continuing Education Credit (CE, formerly known as CPE) for this event. Please note to receive the credit you must attend at least 50 minutes of the presentation.

Please forward this message to anyone who you believe would be interested and value this educational opportunity.

NFMA Advanced Seminar on the Municipal Bond High Yield Market.

The National Federation of Municipal Analysts Advanced Seminar Planning Committee, led by Dan Berger and Chris Mauro, is pleased to release the program for the October 23 & 24 Advanced Seminar on The Municipal Bond High Yield Market.

This event will be held at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile.

Program Link: Click here

Online Registration: Click here

SIFMA Ethics Seminar.

Earn Ethics CLE Credits: SIFMA Ethics Seminar — Oct. 28, NYC or webinar

SIFMA Conference Center
New York, NY

Join SIFMA and SIFMA’s Compliance & Legal Society at an Ethics Seminar for financial services lawyers. Top industry professionals will discuss a range of topics, including: the SEC and CFTC ethics rules, internal investigations, privilege issues, client relationships, and much more.

Learn more about the ethical issues impacting the industry and satisfy all your ethics credit at this half-day event! Credits will also be available to webinar participants that follow the required guidelines.

Following the seminar, continue the conversation with your peers at a networking reception.

CDFA National Development Finance Summit.

CDFA goes west this fall with the 2014 CDFA National Development Finance Summit in beautiful Scottsdale, AZ this November 18-21. Hosted by the generous support of the Scottsdale IDA, this year’s National Summit will be an amazing, can’t miss event with an in-depth look at development finance in the United States. Held at the Scottsdale Conference Center, the CDFA National Summit is the development finance event of the year!

This special program will provide more opportunities than ever before for attendees to engage in a diverse cross-section of development finance topics. With hundreds of public and private sector development finance players in attendance, the National Summit is a great opportunity to network, learn and engage in professional development that makes a difference.

Designed to educate both novices and seasoned development finance professionals alike, the 2014 National Development Finance Summit will touch on over 25 different financing concepts, tools, programs, strategies, and solutions to the challenges facing our country.

The National Summit will feature larger focus general sessions with top public and private sector leaders discussing cutting edge and innovative approaches to financing development in the United States. Drilldown sessions will focus on applying the development finance toolbox at the local level with an emphasis on best practices, problem solving, capital formation and economic growth.

The 2014 National Development Finance Summit will also feature speakers from across the country discussing case studies, challenges and solutions surrounding the development finance industry. This year’s National Summit will feature CDFA’s highly acclaimed training workshops as a pre-Summit training course focused on building a local seed and venture capital initiative.

Special receptions and fun-filled activities like a mobile tour, golf invitational, and much more are also part of the National Summit.

Scholarships are available to attend this event. Learn more about the CDFA Scholarship Program and submit your application today.

Don’t miss out! CDFA’s 28th National Development Finance Summit is the development finance event of the year.

Click here to view the Program and to Register.

“MCDC – Should the Issuer Self-Report?” Podcast is now Available.

NABL members who missed the August 6 teleconference, “MCDC – Should the Issuer Self-Report?” can now download the recorded podcast. The podcast will offer listeners a unique and frank perspective and analysis by leading practitioners, who reviewed specific fact patterns and discussed whether they would recommend that issuers self-report under the MCDC Initiative based on those facts. To download this teleconference click here. The teleconference is a follow-up to the May 21 call on the Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation (MCDC) Initiative which is also available for members to download here.

CDFA: Unlocking the Development Finance Toolbox in California.

August 27, 2014
@ 1:00 pm PDT
(4:00 pm EDT)

Development finance is the heart of economic, energy, infrastructure, technology, and environmental development. Without core financing tools, such as bonds, TIF, tax credits, and access to capital, development projects simply cannot move forward. Within California, dozens of unique and innovative financing programs exist to support business, industry, real estate, and community development. These tools, when amassed, administered and assembled in a comprehensive manner comprise what CDFA calls the development finance toolbox.

During this CDFA California Webcast in partnership with CALED, a panel of development finance experts from throughout the state will explore the depths and potential for unlocking the development finance toolbox in the Golden State.

Speakers:

Toby Rittner, DFCP, EDFP
President & CEO
Council of Development Finance Agencies

*NOTE: CALED members which are not also CDFA members should select “CDFA Member” when registering to avoid being charged for the webcast.

Register for MSRB's Webinar on Revised Draft Rule G-42.

MSRB Webinar: Request for Comment on Draft MSRB Rule G-42, Duties of Non-Solicitor Municipal Advisors

Date: Thursday, August 14, 2014

Time: 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. EDT

Description: MSRB staff will review the proposed changes to the request for comment on draft Rule G-42 on standards of conduct and duties of non-solicitor municipal advisors when engaging in municipal advisory activities other than the undertaking of solicitations.

Read the Request for Comment.

GFOA: 19th Annual Governmental GAAP Update.

Training Type:
Webinar

Course Status:
New Course

Date and Time:
Nov 6 2014 – 1:00pm to 5:00pm EST

Region:
Eastern

Field of Study:
Accounting

Member Price:
$180.00
Non-Member Price:
$195.00

Speakers:
Stephen J. Gauthier

Program Description:

This year’s Annual Governmental GAAP Update will provide comprehensive coverage of the most recent developments in accounting and financial reporting for state and local governments, including:

Final guidance from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) on measurement approaches (GASB Concepts Statement No. 6);
Changes to the GASB’s Comprehensive Implementation Guide;
New GASB implementation guidance on pensions for employers;
Proposed GASB concepts statement on fair value measurement and application (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statement on fiduciary responsibilities (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statements on other postemployment benefits – OPEB (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statement on pensions outside the scope of latest GASB pension standards (exposure draft);
Proposed GASB statement on the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles (exposure draft);
Emerging GASB guidance on leases (forthcoming exposure draft);
Emerging GASB guidance on tax abatement disclosures (forthcoming preliminary views document);
New Financial Accounting Foundation consultation process policy on GASB Scope of Authority;
GASB Technical Plan; and
Common reporting deficiencies.

Seminar Objectives:

Participants in this year’s GAAP Update should obtain a practical understanding of:

How the measurement of assets and liabilities may change;
How to implement the GASB’s latest pension guidance for employers;
How governments in the future may be asked to determine in a given situation whether trust fund reporting is necessary;
How OPEB accounting will probably change fundamentally to conform to the latest pension guidance;
How the GAAP hierarchy for state and local governments will soon be amended;
How lease accounting is headed toward substantial change;
What disclosures may be required in connection with tax abatements;
Other issues the GASB is exploring; and
How to avoid common reporting deficiencies.

Registration Form:
GAAP Update brochure and registration form

NABL Teleconference: “MCDC – Should the Issuer Self-Report?”

Register for NABL’s August 6 teleconference, “MCDC – Should the Issuer Self-Report?”. This teleconference is a follow-up to the May 21 call on the Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation (MCDC) Initiative.

This free, NABL regular members-only teleconference will offer participants the opportunity to hear the unique and frank perspectives and analysis of leading practitioners, who will review specific fact patterns and discuss whether they would recommend that issuers self-report under the MCDC Initiative based on those facts. For more information and to register online for the teleconference click here.

Basic Accounting and Financial Audit Concepts for Non-Accounting Majors.

A NASACT Training Webinar
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
2:00 – 3:50 p.m. Eastern Time

Overview

NASACT, in conjunction with the Association of Government Accountants and the Association of Local Government Auditors, is pleased to announce the latest in its series of training events addressing timely issues in government auditing and financial management.

This webinar will address basic accounting and financial audit concepts for auditors who are not accounting majors. Specifically, the webinar will provide a basic understanding of key accounting concepts to aid in the execution of audit/review objectives. Topics covered will include a basic overview of accounting terms and financial statements, along with examples of common situations where this knowledge can be useful when conducting an audit or review. If you have non-accounting majors on your staff, this webinar is for you!

Join Nicholas Kolitsos, CPA, Senior Auditor, California State Auditor’s Office,for this informative two-hour training session. You will also be given an opportunity to ask questions and share experiences during the last 25 minutes of the webinar.

CPE: Two credits

Cost: $299.00 per group (unlimited attendance); $50 per person;

Agenda:

2:00 – 2:05 p.m.
Welcoming Remarks
Kinney Poynter, Executive Director, NASACT

2:05 – 3:20 p.m.
Basic Accounting and Financial Audit Concepts for Non-Accounting Majors
Nicholas Kolitsos, CPA; Senior Auditor, California State Auditor’s Office

3:20 – 3:45 p.m.
Live Q&A
Kinney Poynter, Executive Director, NASACT

3:45 – 3:50 p.m.
Wrap-up
Kinney Poynter, Executive Director, NASACT

Instructions and Materials: An email will be sent Monday, August 25, by 4:30 p.m. Eastern to all who have registered for this conference with the instructions on how to join the webinar and a link to the materials. Please note the instructional email will be sent only to the email address attached to the registration.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Understand basic accounting and financial audit concepts
Apply these basic concepts to their next audit or review engagement

Delivery Method: Group-Live (for group settings) or Group-Internet Based (for individuals)

Level of Knowledge: Overview

Field of Study: Auditing (Governmental)

Advanced Preparation: All government officials and employees are encouraged to attend. No prerequisites are required. No advance preparation is necessary.

The National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417 or by visiting the website www.nasba.org.

GASB OPEB Webinar.

Other Postemployment Benefits (OPEB): A Webinar for Users of State and Local Government Financial Information will take place on Friday, August 8, 2014, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. EDT. This is an informational webcast targeted to financial statement users and is offered free of charge to those who preregister. CPE credit will not be offered as part of this webcast.

The CPE webcast aimed at preparers and auditors will feature GASB Research Manager Dean Mead, GASB Project Manager Scott Reeser, and GASB Project Manager Michelle Czerkawski discussing the Board’s recently issued Exposure Drafts on OPEB from the perspective of state and local government practitioners.

Topics covered will include:

Background of the project
Proposed recognition and measurement of OPEB liabilities
Proposed requirements for note disclosures and required supplementary information
Proposed reporting requirements for OPEB plans
A question-and-answer period.

The non-CPE webcast will feature Mr. Mead, Mr. Reeser, and GASB Project Research Associate Emily Clark providing information on the Exposure Drafts from the perspective of users of state and local government financial reports.

Topics covered will include:

Background of the project
How the OPEB liability would be measured and reported in the financial statements
What information about OPEB governments would present in the notes to the financial statements and required supplementary schedules
A question-and-answer period.

Archived versions of both webcasts will be available on the GASB website through October 28, 2014, and November 6, 2014, respectively. (Please note: CPE credit will not be available to those who view only the archived version of the July 30 CPE webcast.)

For more information about the webcast, log on to www.gasb.org.

IRS Webinar: How to Apply to be Tax-Exempt (Including New Form 1023-EZ).

2 p.m. ET

Learn about:

General requirements for applying for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Application Forms 1023, i1023, 1023-EZ, and 1024
Requirements for filing each application
Filing tips for applying for tax-exempt status
Exempt Organizations resources

If you have a technical or procedural question relating to Exempt Organizations, visit the Charities and Nonprofits homepage on the IRS.gov Web site.

If you have a specific question about exempt organizations, call EO Customer Account Services at 1-877-829-5500.

GFOA Training in Sacramento.

September 8-12

GFOA is offering five courses on public investing, debt management, performance management, and accounting:

Block of rooms at Hyatt Regency Sacramento / Hotel information

For more information, please contact us.

Intermediate Bond Math: California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission Webinar.

Intermediate Bond Math
Two-Part Webinar

Although municipal bonds are a mainstay of public finance, understanding their economic value requires specialized knowledge and expertise. The vocabulary, financial concepts and calculations, and market incentives may be unfamiliar, if not entirely new, to public agency officials. This two-part, intermediate level webinar focuses on the mathematical concepts and calculations underlying bond pricing and structure. In preparation, it is highly recommended that you review CDIAC’s Bond Math webinars presented in 2011 (information at bottom of page) prior to participating in this webinar series.

Part 1: Bond Cash Flows Literacy
Thursday, August 7, 2014
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Pacific Time

Bond Cash Flows Literacy will cover the analytics of pricing and builds on the fundamental concepts presented in CDIAC’s Debt Essentials seminar, including concepts that form the basis of bond structuring considerations and decisions. This webinar will include:

Understanding yield curves
Calculation of debt service
Bond pricing formula and pricing conventions
Cash flow and amortization schedules
Bond pricing with MS Excel

Part 2: Economics and Structures
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Pacific Time

Economics and Structures will introduce alternative bond structures, such as different call features and bullets, and their impact on long-term borrowing costs and bond pricing. This webinar will include:

Callable bonds and effect on bond pricing (premium, par, discount)
Mechanics and math of refundings
Comparison of non-callable and callable bonds
Differences between current interest, capital appreciation, and convertible capital appreciation bonds
Evaluation of call options for refunding savings

Materials:

Agenda
Register
Speaker Biography

The Bond Buyer’s Healthcare & Higher Education Super Conference.

The Bond Buyer’s Healthcare & Higher Education Super Conference, October 26-28 at the Crowne Plaza Times Square in New York City, will bring you insights from finance leaders and an agenda addressing the latest challenges facing non-profits…and their solutions!

Connect with innovative non-profit finance executives.

Past speakers include: John Sexton, President of New York University; Nathan Bays, Counsel for Health Management Academy; and Raymond Gilmartin, Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer for Merck & Co., Inc.

Two educational tracks, focused on Healthcare and Higher Education.

Last year’s agenda featured sessions on: Blowing Up Fund Accounting: A New Approach to Higher Education Financial Management; Massive Open Online Courses: Risky Business?; New Business Models: Accountable Care Organizations and Mergers & Acquisitions

The event regularly attracts more than 300 attendees.

American Hospital Association, Boston University, Catholic Healthcare Partners, Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, NYU Langone Medical Center, University of Utah and Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority are just of few of the organizations that attended in 2013.

Register Today: Non-profit organization employees and municipal bond issuers pay only $75, Institutional Investors $245 and All Other Professionals $795. To register, contact Dan Tina at (800) 803-5797. Be sure to ask about group rates!

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

For information regarding sponsorships & exhibiting please contact Meghan Rath at
(212) 803-6074.

SIFMA C&L Regional Seminar in Charlotte - Sept. 22

Learn More About Industry Topics Impacting the Compliance & Legal Industry

Join us on September 22 at the Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte, NC to hear securities regulators and industry professionals discuss the current industry topics impacting the Compliance and Legal industry at SIFMA’s C&L Regional Seminar.

This one day program features discussions on:

Hot Topics In Securities Enforcement
Securities Sales to an Aging Population
Building a Volcker Rule Compliance Program
Update on E-Discovery Trends and Developments
CCO Roundtable
Managing and Maintaining the Attorney-Client Privilege in the
Context of Examinations and Investigations
Current Issues for Investment Advisors
Hot Topics in AML and OFAC Compliance

The Bond Buyer's Healthcare & Higher Education Conference.

The Bond Buyer’s Healthcare & Higher Education Conference, October 26-28 at the Crowne Plaza Times Square in New York City. Register Today at our lowest rates!

The goal of this unique event is to help issuers at non-profit institutions master Wall Street’s latest financing tools and build strong relationships with investors so they can successfully tap the financial markets to fund their ongoing capital needs.

More Than 300 Non-Profit and Muni Finance Professionals Participated in the 2013 Super Conference. View The Attendees.

Register Today: Issuers and non-profit organization employees pay only $75, Institutional Investors $245 and All Other Professionals $795. To register, contact Dan Tina at (800) 803-5797. Be sure to ask about group rates!

We look forward to seeing you again, in New York City, in October.

The Bond Buyer’s Conference Team

For information regarding sponsorships & exhibiting please contact Meghan Rath at (212) 803-6074.

*SourceMedia cancellation policies apply. All special offers are valid for NEW registrants only and cannot be applied to current registered attendees. Please call our Customer Service department at 800-803-3424 if you have any questions.

National Conference for Public-Private Partnerships.

P3 CONNECT: DEFINING THE FUTURE OF P3S IN THE U.S.

Public-private partnership leaders and innovators from across the country will connect in July for the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships’ re-invented annual event. “P3 Connect: Defining the Future of P3s in the U.S.” will take place July 28-30 in Denver, Colo., home to innovative projects to be showcased at the event.

It is a dynamic period of change for P3s and a critical time to help define the future of partnership. For three decades, NCPPP has been the nation’s leading educational organization on P3s and the convening point for defining the future of our sector. P3 Connect continues that tradition in a new way.

Click here to download the P3 Connect Brochure

What’s Different about P3 Connect 2014?

Organized and led by the nation’s oldest and only non-profit focused solely on public-private partnerships
In-depth educational sessions on new and innovative topics not found anywhere else
Located in Denver, CO – a living laboratory for P3 projects
Unique networking opportunities

What You Will Learn:

Current state of P3s in the United States
Federal and state policy trends
Case studies highlighting successes and challenges in P3s
Project finance
Risks and mitigation
New and innovative areas where P3s are being utilized

Who Should Attend:

Public sector (federal, state, county and city) leaders using or exploring P3s
P3 and municipal consultants
Construction firms
Operators
Concessionaires
Architecture and engineering firms
Financial leaders
Legal experts
Subcontractors and suppliers

P3 CONNECT: DEFINING THE FUTURE OF P3S IN THE U.S.

Public-private partnership leaders and innovators from across the country will connect in July for the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships’ re-invented annual event. P3 Connect: Defining the Future of P3s in the U.S. will take place July 28-30 in Denver, Colo., home to innovative projects that will be showcased at the event.

It is a dynamic period of change for P3 and a critical time to help define the future of partnership. For three decades, NCPPP has been the nation’s leading educational organization on P3s and the convening point for defining the future of our sector. P3 Connect continues that tradition in a new way.

The 2014 theme, Defining the Future of P3s in the U.S., will explore all aspects of P3s through three days of engaging keynotes, executive workshops, innovation forums, institute meetings, case study reviews and high-level expert panels.

What is distinct about P3 Connect is the level of our content. This is not an introduction of the concept, but an executive-level discussion and networking opportunity. The experts, thought leaders and decision makers joining the event are those who understand NCPPP is the leading non-profit, non-partisan group helping advance and innovate public-private partnerships and the right place to define our sector’s future.

A key component of P3 Connect will be its public sector participation through an exciting new program called, “P3 Innovators” – a select group of public sector leaders who are chosen to attend the conference at no cost. P3 Innovators will be nominated by NCPPP members through an open process to be launched soon.

IRS Audits of Tax-Exempt Bonds: Bond Buyer Webinar.

What To Do When the IRS Comes Knocking at Your Door

Complimentary Web Seminar

July 23, 2014
12 pm ET/9 am PT

Click Here to Register

The increased number of agents in the Internal Revenue Service’s Tax-Exempt Bond office has brought heightened scrutiny of tax-exempt bond issues, as well as an increase in the number of tax-exempt bonds audited each year.

This informative webinar is designed to introduce governmental issuers and for-profit or non-profit borrowers of tax-exempt debt and other interested parties (such as current and prospective investors, financial advisors, underwriters) to the IRS tax-exempt bond audit process.

This program will not be limited to a basic introduction of IRS bond audits, but will cover a detailed description of the entire IRS examination process and practical advice regarding steps to be taken and pitfalls to be avoided.

This webinar will focus on:

The IRS Process for Selecting a Bond Issue for Examination
Information Document Request (IDR)-what is the IRS looking for and how to respond
Settlement Standards and Process
Voluntary Compliance Agreement Program (VCAP)

Speakers:

Richard Chirls, Tax Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Larry Sobel, Tax Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

S&P: Live Webcast and Q&A: An Update on Pension Funding in the U.S.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at 2:00 PM EDT

Please join Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services on Tuesday, July 8, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time for an interactive, live Webcast and Q&A on the state of pension funding in the U.S. We will give pension updates on U.S. state and local governments as well as S&P 500 companies.

IRS Webcast: Basic Arbitrage Concepts.

Free Webcast sponsored by the IRS office of Tax Exempt Bonds

Date: Thursday July 10, 2014

Time: 2 p.m. Eastern Time

What: Basic Arbitrage Concepts

Learn about:

Arbitrage in tax-advantaged bond context
Yield restriction: limits on investment yield and exceptions
Arbitrage rebate
Post issuance compliance: problems and remedies
Voluntary Closing Agreement Program (VCAP)

To register: Click here.

GASB Webinars on Fair Value Measurement & Application Proposals.

Norwalk, CT, June 27, 2014—Registration now is open for two upcoming Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) educational webinars focused on the Board’s recently-issued Exposure Draft, Fair Value Measurement and Application.

Fair Value Measurement and Application: A CPE Webinar for State and Local Government Financial Statement Preparers and Auditors will take place on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Participants in the live broadcast (which is offered free of charge to those who preregister) will be eligible for up to 1 hour of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit. (Please note that CPE credit is not available for group viewing of the live broadcast.)

Fair Value Measurement and Application: A Webinar for State and Local Government Financial Statement Users will take place on Thursday, July 17, 2014 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. EDT. This is an informational webcast targeted to financial statement users, and is offered free of charge to those who preregister. CPE credit will not be offered as part of this webcast.

The webcasts will feature GASB Research Manager Dean Mead, GASB Project Manager Randal Finden, and GASB Practice Fellow Deborah Beams discussing the Board’s recently-issued Exposure Draft on fair value measurement from the perspectives of state and local government practitioners and financial statement users, respectively.

Both webcasts will cover the following topics, each focusing on areas of most interest to their respective target audiences:

Background of the project and expected improvements to financial reporting
The proposed definition of fair value and key concepts behind it
Application of fair value to investments and significant exceptions
Proposed disclosure requirements for fair value measurements, and
A question and answer period.

Archived versions of both webcasts will be available on the GASB website through October 14, 2014. (Please note: CPE credit will not be available to those who view only the archived version of the July 15th CPE webcast.)

Course Descriptions and Registration.

S&P: U.S. Charter School Median Ratios.

Live Webcast and Q&A: U.S. Charter School Median Ratios

Thursday, June 26, 2014, at 3:00 PM EDT

Please join Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time for a live Webcast and Q&A on the U.S. charter school fiscal 2013 median ratios report cards, to be released in advance of the webcast.

S&P: U.S. Public & Private Higher Education 2013 Median Ratios.

Live Webcast and Q&A: U.S. Public & Private Higher Education 2013 Median Ratios

Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at 1:00 PM EDT

Please join Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time for an interactive, live Webcast and Q&A on the U.S. public and private higher education Fiscal 2013 median ratios report cards, to be released in advance of the webcast.

MSRB to Host Education and Outreach Seminar in Chicago.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) will host a public education and outreach seminar for municipal market professionals and others in Chicago, Illinois on July 29, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT at the Conrad Hotel, 521 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611. Separate sessions will cover municipal advisor regulation, improving transparency of municipal bond prices and the availability of educational resources for state and local governments that issue bonds.

View the seminar agenda.

39th Annual Bond Attorneys’ Workshop - September 17-19, 2014

BAW Registration is Now Open.

Join NABL and your colleagues for the 39th Annual Bond attorneys’ Workshop on September 17-19, 2014 at its new location across the river, the Fairmont Chicago. BAW provides practitioners with the ultimate toolbox of resources as well as the opportunity to discuss the practical aspects of public finance with other professionals.

For more information and to register, visit the BAW website or download the registration brochure.

MSRB Launches New Tool on EMMA to Improve Investor Access to Pricing-Information: Webinar.

In a significant enhancement to the transparency of municipal bond prices for retail investors, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) today launched a new electronic tool to help users more quickly and easily gauge the trade price of a municipal bond.

The MSRB will host a webinar tour of the new price discovery tool and related enhancements on Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. EST – 4:00 p.m. EST.

Free Audio Webcast Sponsored by the IRS Office of Tax Exempt Bonds.

The new TEB Director, Rebecca Harrigal, will brief their new TEB Mission and Operations along with new TEB Initiatives and Updates.

Date: Thursday, June 19, 2014
Time: 2 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)

To register: Click here. You will use the same link to attend the event.

Please forward this message to anyone who you believe would be interested and value this great educational opportunity.

We look forward to the opportunity to serve you on Thursday, June 19, 2014. If you have any questions about this presentation, please send us an e-mail.

Orrick’s Annual Financial Services Roundtable, June 11.

Members of Orrick’s Employment Law & Litigation Group invite you to join an interactive discussion of critical employment law issues impacting the financial services industry. Roundtable discussion topics include wage-and-hour cases impacting the financial services industry, employee background checks, update on EEOC and OFCCP enforcement initiatives for 2014 and the latest whistleblower law developments under federal and new California state law. For more information and to register for this event, please click here.

Last Updated: June 2 2014

Article by Howard S. Altarescu, Timothy T. Brown, Harry Denlegh-Maxwell, Edward G. Eisert, Steven J. Fink, Craig Johnston, Jack Mead, Douglas S. Mintz, Richard Moudiotis, Robert B. Moyle, Sushila Nayak, David L. Ridenour, Paul F. Rugani, Katie Lieberg Stowe, Darren S. Teshima and Boris Volodarsky

Regulatory Requirements and Technology Webinar.

Regulatory Requirements and Technology

Complimentary Web Seminar

June 12, 2014
2 pm ET/11 am PT

Click Here to Register

The SEC recently approved a new MSRB rule regarding Time-of-Trade Disclosure to retail and non-SMMP investors and an amended MSRB rule regarding suitably. These rules will be effective July 5, 2014.

While characterized as a “codification,” the new rule’s requirements have caught many by surprise. The introduction of new/amended rules, advances in technology and practices of other market participants should be cause for re-examination of policies, procedures and what is actually being done when you buy or sell a muni bond.

Topics will include:

Review of New and Amended Rules
G-47 – Time-of-Trade
G-19 – Suitability
Supervision
Current Practices

Presenters:

Gregg L. Bienstock Esq.
CEO and CO-Founder of Lumesis, Inc.

Pamela Peterson,
Associate General Counsel
UBS Wealth Management

SEC Muni Advisor Rules: Overview and Practice Tips Teleconference.

The SEC Municipal Advisor Rule will go into effect on July 1, 2014. This rule has the potential to change how underwriters and others involved in the issuance of municipal securities and in the investment of proceeds interact with issuers and obligated persons. In addition to the rule itself, the SEC has issued two sets of frequently asked questions and the MSRB is proposing new rules. Learn how these changes could affect your practice and your clients by registering today. Registration is open to NABL members ($50) and non members($150) and CLE credit will be available in most states. Registrations must be received by Monday, June 23.

The June 25 (1:00-2:30 pm Eastern) teleconference will be moderated by Rick Weber of Norton Rose Fulbright and include panelists Teri Guarnaccia of Ballard Spahr LLP, Peg Henry of Jefferies LLC, and a representative from the SEC’s Office of Municipal Securities.

MSRB Webinar: Consolidated Fair-Dealing Obligations for Municipal Securities Dealers - MSRB Rules G-19, G-47, G-48 and D-15

Thursday, June 26, 2014

3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. EDT

During this free webinar, MSRB staff will explain revisions to MSRB Rule G-19 on suitability of recommendations and transactions, key provisions of MSRB Rule G-47 on time of trade disclosure obligations, and MSRB Rules G-48 and D-15 on sophisticated municipal market professionals. These rules take effect on July 5, 2014.

Join a Free MSRB Webinar on Consolidated Fair-Dealing Rules for Dealers on June 26, 2014.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) invites market participants to join a free educational webinar about upcoming rule changes to consolidated fair-dealing obligations for dealers. The webinar will explain revisions to MSRB Rule G-19 on suitability of recommendations and transactions, key provisions of MSRB Rule G-47 on time of trade disclosure obligations, and MSRB Rules G-48 and D-15 on sophisticated municipal market professionals. These rules take effect on July 5, 2014.

Read the regulatory notice about the changes.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

S&P Capital IQ’s Principles of Municipals Course.

Attend S&P Capital IQ’s Principles of Municipals course at the S&P Conference Center in New York, on October 23-24, and receive the knowledge needed to navigate state and local investment opportunities and risks. Gain a deep understanding of the workings of the municipal market from seasoned industry practitioners in a highly interactive setting that includes exercises, case studies and group discussion with your peers. Learn how to incorporate some of the latest market trends and credit risk models into your own analytical framework. Pose questions to an Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services analyst during a live Q&A session.Earn 15.5 NASBA CPE credits and 13 CFA CE credits while participating in exercises that will require you to:

Compare and contrast the marketability and liquidity of municipal debt
Explain the differences between municipal and corporate debt
Distinguish between the different critical economic, social, and political factors influencing the municipal market
Analyze financial and investment factors important in the financial analysis of municipal debt
Identify key warning signals that can impact the value of municipal debt
Assess recent developments in the municipal universe
Develop and defend a municipal credit rationale

Invest in your career today with a course specifically aimed at enhancing your municipal credit risk analysis skills. SAVE $500 – the early registration discount expires September 11 (regular price: $2,400).With best regards,
S&P Capital IQ

Pay-for-Success Models: Financing Solutions for Counties.

Thursday, May 29, 2014 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Webinar Registration

At a time when counties are being asked to do more with less, jurisdictions are exploring pay-for-success models to finance justice, health and human services initiatives. These models (also called social impact bonds) direct funding to programs that demonstrate success through measureable outcomes. This webinar – the first in a two-part series – will explain these financing models and outline areas in which counties can use them to pay for programs and services.

Webinar: The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Fee.

Topic: The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Fee

Date: May 29, 2014

Time: 12 p.m. Eastern Time

Learn about:

What is the Patient Center Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Fee
Who is responsible for the fee
How to calculate, pay and report the fee

To register: Click here. You will use the same link to attend the event.

Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who you believe would be interested and value this great educational opportunity.

If you have any questions about this presentation, please send us an e-mail.

The SEC Municipal Advisor Rule: Understanding the Future of the Issuer – Financial Advisor and Underwriter Interaction

Webinar

Date and Time:
Jun 17 2014 – 2:00pm to 4:00pm EDT

Who Will Benefit:
The seminar is designed for state and local government debt issuers and public finance professionals.

Program Description:
The GFOA will host a group Internet-based course with the SEC Office of Municipal Securities to discuss the impact of the final Municipal Advisor Rule on issuers of municipal securities. A link to the full text of hte rule is included in GFOA’s issue brief on the rule, which is available at www.gfoa.org.

Seminar Objectives:
Participants will learn firsthand from SEC Office of Municipal Securities Director John Cross about the rule that goes into effect July 1, 2014. Mr. Cross and his colleagues will highlight how the rule will shape communication and interaction between governments and underwriters and financial advisors. The course will include a question-and-answer session so that participants may raise questions with the SEC about the rule’s implementation and how it could affect their debt management programs.

MSRB Webinar: Changes to MSRB Registration Process and Forms.

MSRB Webinar: Changes to MSRB Registration Process and Forms

Thursday, May 15, 2014, 3 p.m. ET

The MSRB will host an educational webinar to explain key provisions of new MSRB Rule A-12, which consolidates the MSRB’s registration rules and forms. The MSRB will provide information to assist current registrants with transitioning to the new form by the compliance deadline of August 10, 2014.

A second session will be offered on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 3 p.m. ET.

Local Solutions to Pay for Your Transportation Projects: Infrastructure Funding & Financing.

DATE: May 13, 2014
TIME: 2:00 pm
CATEGORY: Webinar

Co-Hosted by the National League of Cities (NLC) and the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA).

Investment in infrastructure is critical to the economic development of this nation. Not only does it pay for much needed transportation projects, but it is a job creator, a revenue generator, and a helps promote partnerships between a variety of stakeholders. With federal funding in jeopardy, states and localities are having to explore new funding options to pay for their transportation infrastructure investments.

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association and the National League of Cities are hosting this webinar to help participants understand the ins and outs of alternative financing and funding mechanisms. Presenters will explore a variety of sources and what contributes to an effective “financing toolkit.” Participants will hear from speakers from Austin, TX and Tampa-Hillsborough, FL on how they are collaborating with key stakeholders on transportation financing options that best serve their communities.

Welcome and Introductions

Patrick Jones, Executive Director and CEO, International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association

Antoinette A. Samuel, MPA, FASAE, CAE, Deputy Executive Director, National League of Cities

Speakers

Mike Heiligenstein, Executive Director, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Austin, TX and President, International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association

The MCDC Initiative – What You Need to Know.

On May 21, 2014 from 1:00-2:30pm Eastern NABL will host a teleconference on the Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation Initiative (MCDC).

This free, NABL members-only teleconference will offer listeners the opportunity to hear the unique and frank perspectives and analysis of four practitioners on the MCDC Initiative announced by the Securities and Exchange Commission in March of this year. The initiative filing deadline is September 10, 2014 and members are encouraged to participate on this call in order to prepare for the questions they may receive regarding the initiative.

Panelists


Elaine Greenberg,	Sandy MacLennan,	Paul Maco,	John McNally,
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP	Squire Sanders (US) LLP	Bracewell & Giuliani LLP	Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP

Registrations must be received by Monday, May 19. Register Here.

To Report or Not – The SEC's New MCDC Initiative: Ballard Spahr Webinar.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently launched its Municipal Continuing Disclosure Compliance (MCDC) initiative, which was designed to motivate municipal market participants to police themselves. The initiative encourages self-reporting related to possible material misstatements in offering documents regarding issuers’ compliance with past continuing disclosure undertakings. The MCDC program’s settlement terms expire on September 10, 2014.

Participants in the municipal market should begin reviewing their compliance with secondary market disclosure undertakings over the past decade and ascertain if such compliance was accurately reported in all primary offerings in the past five years. If any noncompliance is found, issuers and underwriters should consult with counsel to determine the potential repercussions of self-reporting or not self-reporting.

This webinar will focus on what various participants in the municipal market, including issuers, borrowers, and underwriters, need to know about the MCDC initiative and considerations that should be made before self-reporting.
Date and Time

Wednesday, May 21, 2014
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET

Speakers

John C. Grugan, Ballard Spahr
Bradley D. Patterson, Ballard Spahr
Matt Duke, Partner, Avant Strategic Partners
REGISTER HERE

For more information, contact Lisa Prickril at [email protected].

The Smart Way to Decide What to Issue and When to Refund: Webinar.

Following up on his presentation on Options When Managing Debt at last October’s 2013 NAIPFA conference, Dr. Kalotay will demonstrate a new Excel-based tool Refunding+. The calculator puts smart technology in the hands of advisors, enabling them to independently evaluate funding and refunding proposals.

Identify the new issue structure with the best value (e.g. 5% or par coupons, non-call 10 or non-call 8)

Recommend refundings only when they meet a Refunding Efficiency threshold (based on savings and option values, and taking into account negative arbitrage)

Rank candidates by desired criterion

The highest professional standards require that public finance advisors have a command of option-based bond analysis. This webinar will provide some new insights and tools.

Please join this webinar on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 11:00 am Eastern, 10:00 am Central, 9:00 Mountain, and 8:00 Pacific time. Lori Raineri, CIPFA, will be moderating.

RSVP here.

Webinar: How Technology is Transforming the Way Government Agencies Deliver Services.

Governing magazine would like to invite you to attend our upcoming webinar on April 29th, which will focus on how technology is transforming the way government agencies deliver services.

The ecosystem of business and technology has changed drastically in the last five years. Cloud, cyber security, big data and mobility….Where does government fit in?Join Governing magazine for a live webinar as we discuss how technology can help government agencies deliver better, faster and more accurate data to change the boundaries of what is possible. By connecting agencies and constituents, government can help those in need, and will drive innovation, collaboration and success. Be a part of this government revolution.You can REGISTER ONLINE or contact me if you have any questions.

We hope you can join us!

Thank you,

Lee Vang
Registration Coordinator
Governing
800-940-6039 ext. 1407
[email protected]

Webinar: The SEC & Continuing Disclosure.

Complimentary Web Seminar
May 14, 2014
12 pm ET/9 am PT
Featuring Live Q&A

The S.E.C. in 2013 for the first time brought enforcement actions arising from violations of continuing disclosure obligations pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 15c2-12. They followed this with an announcement in March, 2014 of a voluntary program called the Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation Initiative (the “MCDC Initiative”) to encourage governmental issuers, conduit or other obligors and underwriters to “self-report” to the S.E.C. instances in the past five years where failure to comply in a material respect with continuing disclosure undertakings was not properly disclosed in an official statement.

Every issuer, obligor or underwriter which has issued, been an obligated person for or underwritten bonds in the past five years needs to understand what the S.E.C. is doing in its enforcement program, what the MCDC Initiative offers, and what steps they should take to minimize any S.E.C. actions against them in the future.

This Webinar will cover the following subjects:

S.E.C. Enforcement Actions based on continuing disclosure failures – West Clark Community Schools and City Securities Corporation
How the MCDC Initiative Will Work
Factors for Issuers and Obligors to Consider in Response to the MCDC Initiative
Factors for Underwriters to Consider in Response to the MCDC Initiative
Best Practices for Continuing Disclosure Compliance

Presenters:

Elaine Greenberg – Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, and formerly Chief of the S.E.C. Enforcement Division’s Specialized Unit for Municipal Securities and Public Pensions

Robert Feyer – Senior Counsel, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Alison Radecki – Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Jeffrey Higgins – Managing Director, BLX Group LLC

National Federation of Municipal Analysts 31st Annual Conference.

The meeting will take place on May 6-9 at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Click here for the program link: NFMA Annual Conference Program.

To register, click here: Annual Conference 2014.

Details about hotel reservations, ground transportation and park tickets are provided in the program and in registration materials.

Government Finance Officers Association 108th Annual Conference 2014: The Future of Government Finance

MAY 18 TO MAY 21

For this year’s session details, go to GFOA’s annual conference page
Apply for GFOA’s first-time annual conference attendee scholarships

Technical sessions (including in-depth preconference seminars) that offer comprehensive coverage of all the latest developments, trends, and best practices in each major facet of public finance. Events that create a unique opportunity to build relationships and network with peers from across the country and around the world. General Sessions featuring nationally recognized speakers on topics of interest to public finance professionals. An unparalleled opportunity to earn continuing professional education (CPE) credit. An exhibit hall offering a wealth of practical solutions to a broad range of professional challenges.

Upcoming Webinar: Clean Energy Finance through the Bond Market.

Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Time: 1-2pm EDT

In this webinar, the Brookings Institution, Clean Energy Group (CEG) and the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) will discuss their upcoming paper, “Clean Energy Finance through the Bond Market: A New Option for Progress.”

State and local bond finance represents a powerful but underutilized tool for future clean energy investment. For 100 years, the nation’s state and local infrastructure finance agencies have issued trillions of dollars’ worth of public finance bonds to fund the construction of the nation’s roads, bridges, hospitals, and other infrastructure—and literally built America. Now, as clean energy subsidies from Washington dwindle, these agencies are increasingly willing to finance those projects, if only the clean energy community embraces them.

Guest speakers from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority of Ohio will present updates from their own innovative clean energy bond financing programs. An audience Q&A will follow these presentations.

This webcast is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

National Conference On Public Employee Retirement Systems.

When it comes to education, no other conference compares to the NCPERS Annual Conference and Exhibition. That”s why more than 1,000 trustees, administrators, state and local officials, investment, financial and union officers, pension staff and regulators attend each year.

Attendees benefit from the comprehensive educational programming, dynamic speakers, and networking opportunities with money managers, investment service providers and public fund colleagues from across the nation.

The 2014 Annual Conference & Exhibition will be held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers in Chicago, IL. Join us this year as we focus on“Navigating the River of Pension Success.”

2014 Annual Conference & Exhibiton
April 27 – May 1
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
Chicago, IL
Promo Videos

Lunch & Lecture Speaker Preview, Bruce Leppla (March 13)
Why You Should Attend the Annual Conference, Richard Tettamant (March 18)
Reframing the Debate, Robert Wilson (March 24)
General Session Speaker Preview: Jill Eicher (April 1)
General Session Speaker Preview: Robert Klausner (April 9)

Registration Material

Final Agenda (updated April 2)
Online Registration (Members Only)
Fund Member Registration Form
Corporate Member Attendee Registration Form
Exhibitor Registration Form
Sponsorship Form
Hotel Reservations
American Airlines Discount
For more information on the 2014 Annual Conference move from San Antonio click here.
2014 Call for Speakers/Sessions Proposals – CLOSED
Annual Conference FAQs

Click here to go to the Trustee Educational Seminar (TEDS) page.

Municipal Market Seminar on Regulation, Compliance and Enforcement – Featuring FINRA and MSRB.

Municipal Market Seminar on Regulation, Compliance and Enforcement – Featuring FINRA and MSRB

May 14, 2014
The Four Seasons, St. Louis, MO

The Harris School of Public Policy/Governing Institute/Office of the CFO of the City of Chicago | The Semi-Annual Municipal CFO Forum: Regulations, Ratings, and Investments.

The Spring 2014 Municipal CFO Forum

SIFMA Compliance and Legal Society Annual Seminar.

Compliance and Legal Society Annual Seminar 2014

March 30 – April 2, 2014
Grande LakesOrlando, FL

SIFMA’s Compliance & Legal Society 46th Annual Seminar is the premier event that features more than 65 dynamic and informative panels. Don’t miss your opportunity to engage with leading industry experts, discuss the latest regulatory developments and industry trends.

SIFMA Conference: Understanding the SEC's Municipal Advisor Registration Rule.

May 9, 2014
SIFMA Conference Center, NYC
Understanding the SEC’s Municipal Advisor Registration Rule

SIFMA’s Muni Advisor Regulation: Implementation & Registration session will provide an in-depth look at the SEC’s Municipal Advisor Registration Rule that goes into effect on July 1st.
This session will also discuss the regulatory framework and outlook for municipal advisors and other firms potentially covered by this rule.

If you are new to the industry, or an experienced legal and compliance or business professional who is looking to learn about this new rule, this seminar will address the implementation processes and issues with respect to the rule and potential compliance methods.

For more information, and to register, click here.

120 Broadway, 35th Floor, New York, NY10271 | 212.313.1000
1101 New York Avenue, NW 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005 | 202.962.7300
www.sifma.org

2014 SALGBA National Conference April 6th-9th at The Peabody in Memphis, TN

United States District Court, S.D. Ohio, Eastern Division - March 12, 2014 - Slip Copy - 2014 WL 972178

The State and Local Government Benefits Association invites public sector benefits professionals to the 2014 SALGBA National Conference to be held April 6th -9th at The Peabody in Memphis, TN. To view the 2014 SALGBA Conference Agenda please click here.

To register for the 2014 SALGBA Conference online, click here or download the registration form by clicking here.

The Peabody has a block of rooms set aside for the 2014 SALGBA Conference. Reservations will be accepted at the group rate until rooms in the block are sold out or the cut-off date of March 12, 2014 has passed, whichever occurs first. The group room rate for jurisdictional attendees is $135 per night plus taxes and the group room rate for associate attendees is $199 per night plus taxes. Reservation instructions are included in the conference registration confirmation email that is sent to every conference attendee.

If you can’t obtain a room at The Peabody (as the room block is selling out fast) please contact the Doubletree located across the street and mention you are attending the SALGBA Conference for a Jurisdictional Rate of $135 or an Associate Rate of $179. The contact number for the Doubletree is 901-528-1800.
To participate in the conference as a sponsor please review the 2014 Prospectus for opportunities or contact the SALGBA Office at 888-623-8676. The 2014 SALGBA Exhibit Hall is sold out!

To participate in the conference as a sponsor or exhibitor please review the 2014 Prospectus for opportunities or contact the SALGBA Office at 888-623-8676.

2014 Exhibitors may access the 2014 Exhibitor Kit by clicking here for a PDF version or you can access the kit online at, http://servicemanuals.fernexpo.com/login.asp?id=3609 using the password – SALGBA2014.

Pension Issues: Remaining Implementation Challenges and New Audit Guidance.

Pension Issues: Remaining Implementation Challenges and New Audit Guidance
A NASACT Training Webinar
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
2:00 – 3:50 p.m. Eastern

OVERVIEW

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board’s (GASB) new pension standards (Statements 67 and 68) present various implementation challenges for employers, pension plans, and auditors. For the first time, employers will recognize their share of the pension amounts for all benefits provided through the plan, including the net pension liability, deferred outflows of resources, deferred inflows of resources, and pension expense. A major challenge faced by each employer participating in a multiple-employer plan is how the employer will obtain all necessary information to support the amounts to be reported in its financial statements. Similarly, employer auditors will be challenged to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence to opine on the pension amounts included in employer financial statements.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) just released two new white papers providing guidance on auditing multiple-employer cost sharing plans. The AICPA is continuing its work on audit guidance pertaining to multiple-employer agent plans and that guidance is expected soon.

This webinar will discuss:

Information needed by the employer and the employer auditors to record pension amounts
Status of AICPA proposed recommendations for plans to communicate pension information
Impact of AICPA proposed recommendations on implementation timelines
New AICPA audit guidance for pension information including plan auditor responsibility for test work on census data

Join Jeff Markert, CPA, KPMG, and Greg Driscoll, CPA, KPMG, for this informative two-hour training session. You will also be given an opportunity to ask questions and share experiences during the last 25 minutes of the audio conference.

Date:	Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Time:	2:00 – 3:50 p.m. Eastern

Speakers:	Jeff Markert, CPA, Partner, KPMG LLP Greg Driscoll, CPA, Partner, KPMG LLP

CPE:	2 credits

Cost:	$299.00 per group (unlimited attendance); $50 per person;

Agenda:	2:00 – 2:05	Welcoming Remarks – Kinney Poynter, Executive Director, National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers
	2:05 – 3:20	Pension Issues: Remaining Implementation Challenges and New Audit GuidanceJeff Markert, CPA, Partner, KPMG LLP Greg Driscoll, CPA, Partner, KPMG LLP
	3:20 – 3:45	Live Q&A
	3:45 – 3:50	Wrap-up – Kinney Poynter

Register:	Register HERE

Instructions and Materials:	An email will be sent Friday, March 28, by 4:30 p.m. Eastern to all who have registered for this conference with the instructions on how to join the webinar and a link to the materials. Please note the instructional email will be sent only to the email address attached to the registration.


Learning Objectives:	At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to: Identify the major implementation and audit issues associated with GASB Statements 67 and 68 Understand the new AICPA audit guidance for cost-sharing plans

Delivery Method:	Group – Live (for group settings) or Group – Internet Based (for individuals)

Level of Knowledge:	Overview

Field of Study	Auditing – Governmental

Advanced Preparation:	All government officials and employees are encouraged to attend. No prerequisites are required. No advance preparation is necessary.


	The National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417 or by visiting the website www.nasba.org.

Additional Information:	Program Content: Kinney Poynter, [email protected], (859) 276-1147 Registration or CPE: Pat Hackney, [email protected], (859) 276-1147 Technical Support or Logistics: Adrian Puryear, [email protected], (859) 276-1147

Government Investment Officers Association 10th Annual Conference.

We are excited for the 10th Annual Conference of the Government Investment Officers Association being held March 26-28, 2014 at Harrah’s Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.Sign up now for the low government registration rate of $100.

Click here or call 800-243-5097 to contact our education partner, Fixed Income Academy, to learn more about the
Free CPE Credits being offered at the conference.

Click here for the 2014 conference agenda.

Hotel Reservations:

Please book your rooms early to ensure the group rate of $49, good until February 23, 2014, or until the block is filled. Please click onhttps://resweb.passkey.com/go/SHGIO4, or call the Harrah’s Reservation Center at 1-888-458-8471. Callers may use the group code SHGIO4, or mentionGIOA 2014.

Useful Links Relating to the 2013 Conference:

2013 Conference Attendee Lists:
- Government Attendees
- Corporate Attendees
2013 GIOA Conference Agenda
2013 Conference Presentations

Webinar: Leveraging Data to Drive Transportation Decisions.

State and local transortation agencies and authorities throughout the world are tapping into new and existing data sources to help make day-to-day and long term operational and management decisions. Data including traffic volume, average speed, toll prices, human resources and asset management can be used to support decision making about things like how to dynamically set toll prices, how to manage maintenance efforts and daily business decisions.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Time: 11:00am PT | 2:00 pm ET
Duration: 60 minute

Join Governing for this important webinar as we explore the innovative solutions and data state and local transportation entities can leverage to:

Streamline long and short term decision making
Enable dynamic pricing
Create efficiencies in day-to-day operations that can lead to cost-savings
Using data, gain a holistic view of the agency or authority to improve maintenance efforts and overall management

Mobility: How One North Carolina County Changed the Way it Does Business.

Complimentary Webinar

Thursday, March 13, 2014

11:00 am PT/2:00 pm ET

Duration: 60 minutes

Governments are under increasing pressure to produce better, cheaper and faster results at the same time budgets are cut back. One of the quickest and most powerful tools available to government today is a mobile device.

Join 2013 Digital Government Achievement Award winner Mecklenburg County and Governing to learn how mobile devices are allowing the County to redesign citizen service delivery and save millions. Key discussion areas include:

Free up workers to solve problems and deliver better citizen service

Deliver the right applications through a single secure mobile device

Reduce the risk of cyber-attacks to citizen data and infrastructure

Streamline provisioning and centralize control of mobile devices

Provide anywhere, anytime access via home PC or mobile device for field employees, caseworkers, or any one working outside the office.

Join an MSRB Webinar on Upcoming Changes to Primary Offering Practices.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) will host a free educational webinar on its amended MSRB Rule G-11, on primary offering practices, on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. EST. Recent revisions to the rule establish certain basic regulatory standards for municipal securities dealers relating to the use of retail order periods in the primary offering of municipal securities and priority provisions in those offers. The changes are effective March 31, 2014. This webinar will address new provisions of Rule G-11 for those seeking to understand the new rule. The webinar will conclude with a question and answer session.

Read about the rule changes:

http://www.msrb.org/Rules-and-Interpretations/Regulatory-Notices/2013/2013-20.asp

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/758207442

What Municipal Analysts Need to Know about Governmental Accounting.

February 6, 2014

SIFMA Conference Center

New York, NY

This session will provide in-depth instruction on the rules that state and local governments follow when accounting for and reporting their finances in audited financial reports. It will cover the basics from the perspective of the financial statement analyst – focusing on how the accounting standards affect the information that analysts receive. The speaker will also highlight significant new changes to government financial reports that analysts have seen or will soon see, such as the new fund balance classifications, the appearance of deferrals, and the forthcoming pension information.

The session is ideal both for relatively new analysts and for experienced analysts looking for a refresher or to learn about the latest accounting requirements. Registration includes a copy of “An Analyst’s Guide to Government Financial Statements”, 2nd Edition, which will serve as the text for the session.

About the instructor

Dean Mead is the Research Manager at the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and author of “An Analyst’s Guide”. With GASB since 1998, he is a financial statement analyst by training and a member of NFMA and MAGNY. He is an adjunct professor of governmental accounting and auditing at the Rutgers Business School and was previously an adjunct at New York University, where he pursued doctoral studies in public finance, management, and public policy.

View the Program HERE.

SIFMA Compliance and Legal Society Annual Seminar.

Compliance and Legal Society Annual Seminar 2014

March 30 – April 2, 2014

Grande Lakes Orlando, FL

View the Progam Here:

http://sifma.org/cl2014/program/

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1245

MSRB Webinar: Best-Execution Rule for Municipal Securities Transactions.

The MSRB is hosting an educational webinar on the main aspects of the proposed rule on March 6, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/216648050

NABL 2014 Fundamentals of Municipal Bond Law Seminar.

April 30 – May 2, 2014 | Grand Hyatt Atlanta | Atlanta, GA

Encourage your associates today to attend the three-day boot camp geared to prepare the next wave of bond lawyers with all the tools and resources needed to thrive in the field of municipal finance.

Download the Seminar brochure:

http://www.nabl.org/uploads/cms/documents/2014_Fundamentals_Brochure_web_download.pdf

For more details and to register online visit the Seminar website:

http://www.nabl.org/education/event/Municipal-Bond-Law-Seminar

Get Your Municipal Advisor Questions Answered at TSLI.

The Tax & Securities Law Institute (TSLI) panel session, “Am I a Municipal Advisor and, if so, so What?” is expected to include a robust dialogue among government (SEC), quasi-government (MSRB), and interest group (SIFMA) representatives and practicing public finance lawyers about the SEC’s final municipal advisor rules and the MSRB’s recently proposed business conduct rules for municipal advisors. While the SEC rules have been stayed to July 1, the statutory Dodd-Frank provisions are currently effective, and prospective underwriters, financial advisors, public finance lawyers, and others are wrestling with what the provisions mean and how to comply with them.

Attend this panel and learn how to serve clients and protect yourselves. Get answers to your questions: What may your underwriting clients say to issuers without registering? Does the answer depend on whether they are banks? How can your issuer clients retain access to useful ideas before commencing an offering? What are the fiduciary burdens of being a municipal advisor? What may lawyers say to their clients and other finance team members? Should law firms adopt policies and procedures to protect their public finance lawyers and firm management? If so, what should they say? Learn about more TSLI panel sessions or register today.

http://www.nabl.org/education/event/Tax-Securities-Law-Institute

ABA: Police, Privacy and New Technologies CLE Webinar.

March 12, 2014 @ 1:00 PM Eastern

With the proliferation of new technologies – from drones to data mining to tracking devices or in-dash cameras – police departments are facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. What do these changes mean for lawyers who represent police departments? This program will provide information about the latest technologies and how they work, current Fourth Amendment jurisprudence and practical advice for police department lawyers

Mobility: How One North Carolina County Changed the Way they Do Business – Free Webinar.

Join 2013 Digital Government Achievement Award winner Mecklenburg County and Governing to learn how mobile devices are allowing the County to redesign citizen service delivery and save millions.

Key discussion areas include:

Free up workers to solve problems and deliver better citizen service
Deliver the right applications through a single secure mobile device
Reduce the risk of cyber-attacks to citizen data and infrastructure
Streamline provisioning and centralize control of mobile devices
Provide anywhere, anytime access via home PC or mobile device for field employees, caseworkers, or any one working outside the office.

To register, click HERE.

For questions or details, contact:

Raquel Figueira

Registration Coordinator

GOVERNING

800-940-6039 ext. 1341

[email protected]

The Municipal Advisor Rule: Complimentary Bond Buyer Web Seminar.

Complimentary Web Seminar

March 6, 2014
12 pm ET/9 am PT
Featuring Live Q&A

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act amended Section 15B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to add a new requirement that “municipal advisors” register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission” or “SEC”). On September 20, 2013, the Commission adopted final rules for municipal advisor registration (the “Municipal Advisor Rule”), which, among other things, interpret the statutory definition of the term “municipal advisor” to include much of what underwriters used to do, especially prior to formal engagement.

I CAN ATTEND LIVE

http://www.bondbuyer.com/subscribe/lead.html?product_id=1059281&?st=Pmail&s=P1&utm_source=P1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20140306_bbc_orrick_ws&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRoluK3AZKXonjHpfsXw7egrXaK3lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4FTcVmI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFT7XAMaV0z7gIWhU%3D

PLEASE SEND

ON-DEMAND LINK

In order to provide guidance on certain aspects of the Municipal Advisor Rule, the SEC responded on January 10, 2014 to a set of frequently asked questions posed by the municipal finance industry (the “FAQs”). On January 13, 2014, the Commission extended the effective date of the Municipal Advisor Rule until July 1, 2014 to give bankers, advisors and issuers more time to digest this rule and the guidance.

Join us for a seminar on March 6, 2014 to review the Municipal Advisor Rule and its applicability to you.

Topics to be covered include:

Overview of the Municipal Advisor Rule.
Discussion of exemptions and FAQs.
Talking points for underwriters and issuers:
What can bankers say to issuers?
What new protocols and documentation can issuers expect to receive from bankers?
Development and implementation of policies and procedures now — Be Prepared!

Who should participate:

Investment Bankers and their respective counsel or compliance officer
Issuers and their respective counsel or compliance officer
Municipal Advisors and their respective counsel or compliance officer

National Federation of Municipal Analysts 31st Annual Conference.

The NFMA is pleased to announce that registration for its 31st Annual Conference is open. The meeting will take place on May 6-9 at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Lake Buena Vista, FL. Click here for the program link:

http://www.nfma.org/assets/documents/education/ac14/ac14program.pdf

To register, click here:

https://nfma.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mc&view=formlogin&form=160456&return=L2luZGV4LnBocD9vcHRpb249Y29tX21jJnZpZXc9bWMmbWNpZD1mb3JtXzE2MDQ1Nj9zZXJ2SWQ9MjcyNiZvcHRpb249Y29tX21jJnZpZXc9bWMmbWNpZD1mb3JtXzE2MDQ1Ng==

Details about hotel reservations, ground transportation and park tickets are provided in the program and in registration material

Moody’s Revises Local Government GO Methodology: Webinar.

Complimentary Web Seminar

February 27, 2014

12 pm ET/9 am PT

Moody’s recently published an updated methodology on local government general obligation debt, affecting over 8,000 Moody’s ratings.

Join us for a webinar where we describe what’s new in the methodology, go over the just-introduced GO scorecard, and discuss the impact on ratings.

I Can Attend Live:

http://www.bondbuyer.com/subscribe/lead.html?product_id=1059213&?st=Pmail&s=P1&utm_source=P1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20140227_bbc_moodys_ws&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRoluaTPZKXonjHpfsXw7egrXaK3lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4FTcdkI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFT7XAMaV0z7gIWhU%3D

Please Send On-Demand Link:

Topics to be covered include:

What’s in the new GO methodology
What’s in the new GO scorecard
What is the rationale behind these changes
How will the methodology and scorecard be used by Moody’s analysts
What’s the impact on GO ratings

SIFMA: Understanding the Latest Accounting Requirements.

March 14, 2014

SIFMA Conference Center, NYC

Co-hosted with MAGNY and instructed by GASB’s Dean Mead, this session is ideal for relatively new analysts, and for experienced analysts looking for a refresher or to learn about the latest accounting and financial reporting requirements.

Join us to explore all aspects of:

Governmental Accounting – This part of the program will cover what governments account for, how and when they account for transactions, and the implications for analysts.
Governmental Financial Reporting – The instructor will provide an overview of the financial report and how financial information is communicated. The program will also discuss the significant new changes to government financial reports that analysts have seen or will soon see, including new fund balance classifications, the appearance of deferrals, and the forthcoming pension information.

Registration includes a copy of “An Analyst’s Guide to Government Financial Statements,” 2nd Edition, which will serve as the text for the session.

View the Program at:

http://www.sifma.org/events/2014/what_municipal_analysts_need_to_know_about_governmental_accounting/program/

http://www.sifma.org/events/2014/what_municipal_analysts_need_to_know_about_governmental_accounting/register/

The Detroit bankruptcy: Conflicts and Implications.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 | 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

AEI, Twelfth Floor

1150 Seventeenth Street, NW

Washington, DC 20036

RSVP:

http://www.aei.org/events/2014/02/18/the-detroit-bankruptcy-conflicts-and-implications/

About This Event

The city of Detroit represents the biggest municipal bankruptcy in history. Its insolvency presents difficult legal, financial, and political issues and conflicts — notably, the competing claims of public employee pensions and bondholders (including the fate of the city’s great art collection).

What should be done to settle the Detroit insolvency? And how will this historic financial failure affect the market for municipal finance, future municipal bankruptcies, the huge problem of underfunded public pension funds, the city’s battered infrastructure, and the politics of other financially troubled cities?

Our panel of experts in bankruptcy, municipal finance, pensions, infrastructure, and politics will address these and related issues.

If you are unable to attend, we welcome you to watch the event live on this page. Full video will be posted within 24 hours.

Agenda

1:45 PM

Registration

2:00 PM

Introduction:

Alex J. Pollock, AEI

2:05 PM

Panelists:

Michael Barone, AEI

Andrew G. Biggs, AEI

R. Richard Geddes, Cornell University and AEI

John Mousseau, Cumberland Advisors

David Skeel, University of Pennsylvania Law School

Moderator:

Alex J. Pollock, AEI

4:00 PM

Adjournment

Event Contact Information

For more information, please contact Emily Rapp at [email protected], 202.419.5212.

Media Contact Information

For media inquiries, please contact [email protected], 202.862.5829.

The Utility Management Conference™ 2013.

Join us in Phoenix, Arizona for The Utility Management Conference™ 2013! Hear about how water utilities are challenged with doing more with less and topics addressing water and wastewater management.

Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel

Glendale, Arizona

Conference: March 10 – 13, 2013

Conference Link: http://www.awwa.org/Conferences/utilitymanageconf

This conference is jointly sponsored by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and AZWater.

Registration is open for 2013. AWWA and WEF members save $175 when registered by February 8, 2013. WEF members use code UM13WEF at checkout; see details below.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Please visit: www.awwa.org/conferences/utilitymanageconf for a full list of sponsorship opportunities and the sponsorship form.

For questions or more information please contact:

Sarah Abeyta

Specialty Conference Coordinator

American Water Works Association

(303) 734-3472 Direct

[email protected]

The Bond Buyer and BDA Present the National Municipal Bond Summit.

March 26-28, 2014

Fontainebleau Miami Beach | Miami Beach, FL

The National Municipal Bond Summit 2014 will be an extraordinary, can’t miss event with an in-depth look at municipal finance in the United States. This special program will provide more opportunities than ever before for attendees to engage in a diverse cross-section of municipal finance topics, regulatory updates, and legislative activities.

The National Municipal Bond Summit is the industry’s premier executive retreat. This exclusive annual gathering offers the market’s leaders the opportunity to meet and network with senior issuers, state and federal officials, as well as deal participants from across the country.

Attendees leave the Summit armed with the knowledge and strategies to face the market’s challenges in 2014 and beyond. This unique conference serves as a catalyst for energizing the market and providing the valuable insights into the previous year’s events. Don’t get left out in the cold—make sure to reserve your place.

Join the market’s most diverse lineup of speakers—representing issuers, investors, dealers, attorneys, rating analysts and regulators—as they share their insights on what’s likely to come next, and how you can be prepared.

More than ever before, success in the municipal market in 2014 will rely on information and communication. Join us for a vigorous and thought-provoking discussion … And a full slate of networking opportunities that The Bond Buyer Conferences are known for.

Register today and save with our BEST rates! Contact Ingrid Olsen at (212) 803-8456 to register or for more information. CPE credits are available.

http://register.sourcemediaconferences.com/iebms/reg/reg_p1_form.aspx?oc=10&ct=REG&eventid=5951

Interested in Sponsoring?

For more information about sponsorships and exhibiting, contact Mike Ballinger at (212) 803-8481.

SIFMA's Muni Bond School -- Introductory: 10 Sessions starting Feb. 18 – NYC.

SIFMA’s Muni Bond School is presented by the Municipal Bond Club of New York and SIFMA; and catered toward professionals new to the municipal industry. Classes will be held at the SIFMA Conference Center at 120 Broadway, New York, N.Y. Participants may choose to sign up to attend in person or via an interactive webinar option.

For registration questions, please contact Lisette Rios at [email protected].

View the schedule:

http://www.sifma.org/te/munibondschool-2014/files/munibondschool_syllabus2014.pdf

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1258

For more information, please contact Nicolle Brescia of Morgan Stanley at [email protected].

The Bond Buyer and BDA Present the National Municipal Bond Summit.

March 26-28, 2014

Fontainebleau Miami Beach | Miami Beach, FL

Register today and save with our BEST rates! Contact Ingrid Olsen at (212) 803-8456 to register or for more information. CPE credits are available.

http://register.sourcemediaconferences.com/iebms/reg/reg_p1_form.aspx?oc=10&ct=REG&eventid=5951

Interested in Sponsoring?

For more information about sponsorships and exhibiting, contact Mike Ballinger at (212) 803-8481.

MSRB Webinar on Proposed Rule on Standards of Conduct for Municipal Advisors.

As part of its comprehensive approach to municipal advisor regulation, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) is offering webinars to provide municipal advisors and others with information on proposed rules. The MSRB will host a webinar on its proposed rule on core standards of conduct for municipal advisors on February 6, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/814181106

SIFMA Social Media Seminar.

Once again in 2014, SIFMA brings our popular Social Media Seminar to the West Coast on February 27th, in San Francisco. This one-day event will bring together experts to explore the rapidly evolving tools of social media.

The seminar will feature in-depth panels on marketing, business, and practitioner social media experience, as well as practical advice on the legal and compliance issues faced by the expanding use of interactive technology for business purposes.

Whether you’re considering social media initiatives or want to take your client engagement to the next level, join us for a full-day seminar to learn top strategies and best practices from leading practitioners including, financial advisors, marketers and solution providers. Regulatory and legal experts will present and discuss compliance issues. Our acclaimed program will provide tactical ways to enhance client communication and service in the near and long term.

Who Should Attend:

Financial Services Professionals
Compliance Professionals
Financial Advisors
Attorneys
Marketing Directors
Sales Managers
Training Leaders

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1251

MSRB Educational Webinar on Draft Rule G-42.

February 6, 2014 at 3:00 P.M. ET.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/814181106

Reminder: MSRB to Host Atlanta Education and Outreach Seminar.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) will host an education and outreach event for municipal market professionals on January 28, 2014 in Atlanta, GA. Separate sessions will cover municipal advisor regulation, improving transparency of municipal bond prices and the availability of educational resources for state and local governments that issue bonds.

http://a3.acteva.com/orderbooking/loadEventRegistration.action?skuId=36ED214801414B81431A7AB03E7A0BB2&catalogId=3211253B01310611E91018F70051E987&catalogGoWord=&emailAttendeeId=

Or register for the webcast:

http://psav.mediasite.com/Mediasite/Login/Register?ReturnUrl=%2Fmediasite%2FPlay%2F4cf94cb07ff34fd3a39640503d56668d1d

SIFMA Insurance and Risk Linked Securities Conference.

March 4-5, 2014

Grand Hyatt

New York, NY

SIFMA’s annual Insurance-and-Risk-Linked Securities Conference is the leading forum for updates, strategies and insights into the top industry issues in the coming year.

A range of topics will be explored – from identifying and mobilizing new sources of capital, examining reinsurance’s evolving role – to emerging legal issues and broadening the industry’s scope.

View the Program:

http://www.sifma.org/irls2014/program/

http://www.sifma.org/events/2014/insurance_and_risk_linked_securities_conference/register/

National Association of Independent Financial Officers 2013 Annual Conference.

Please join us for the 2013 NAIPFA Annual Conference

October 9-11, 2013 | Nashville, Tennessee

This page includes the 2013 conference brochure, registration form and online payment option:

http://naipfa.com/2013-annual-conference/

12th Annual Tax & Securities Law Institute.

Registration is now open for the 12th Annual Tax & Securities Law Institute.

Come join an outstanding faculty on March 27-28, 2014, in Boston for what promises to be a fascinating discussion of the most pressing issues facing the municipal bond community during these difficult times.

State and local governments are facing very serious challenges today at all levels. These challenges reflect the general global issues of increasing demand for capital investment to address aging or obsolete infrastructure, economic development to get people to work, and demands for services.

The Institute will focus on piecing it all together, providing attendees with 13 breakout session topics, dealing with current issues of securities law, tax law, and ethics.

Learn more at:

https://www.nabl.org/education/event/Tax-Securities-Law-Institute

https://www.nabl.org/education/event/Tax-Securities-Law-Institute?tab=registration

GFOA’s 108th Annual Conference.

May 18-21, 2014, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Go to GFOA’s annual conference page to sign up today and save with the early discounted registration fees.

Learn more and register at:

http://www.gfoa.org/conference/

BDA End of the Year Recap on Legislative and Regulatory Priorities.

BDA staff and consultants presented a year-end recap of BDA’s top legislative and regulatory priorities.

Please click here for the recording:

http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/infiniteconferencing/Web%20Recordings/DatedRecordings/121813/BDA/121813bda.html

Please click here for the summary:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs144/1105697510106/archive/1115991740820.html

12th Annual Tax & Securities Law Institute.

Registration is now open for the 12th Annual Tax & Securities Law Institute.

The Institute will focus on piecing it all together, providing attendees with 13 breakout session topics, dealing with current issues of securities law, tax law, and ethics.

Learn more at:

https://www.nabl.org/education/event/Tax-Securities-Law-Institute

https://www.nabl.org/education/event/Tax-Securities-Law-Institute?tab=registration

MSRB to Host Education and Outreach Seminar in Atlanta.

Alexandria, VA – The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) will host a public education and outreach seminar for municipal market professionals in Atlanta, Georgia on January 28, 2014. The MSRB, which oversees the $3.7 trillion municipal securities market, will discuss development of new regulations for professionals that provide financial advice to state and local governments, among other topics.

The seminar will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Westin Hotel, Peachtree Plaza, 210 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303-1745. Separate sessions will cover municipal advisor regulation, improving transparency of municipal bond prices and the availability of educational resources for state and local governments that issue bonds.

View the seminar agenda:

The seminar is open to all members of the municipal securities community and anyone interested in learning about the market. There is no cost to attend; however, pre-registration is required. The deadline to register is January 23, 2014.

Municipal market participants may also attend the seminar via the internet. The MSRB will make available a live audio feed of the event with the associated presentations. Register to attend the seminar via the internet. The presentations will also be posted on the MSRB’s website at msrb.org after the completion of the event.

Southern Municipal Finance Finance Society 2014 Public Policy & Municipal Finance Conference.

The SMFS will host its 2014 Public Policy & Municipal Finance Conference, February 19 & 20, 2014 at TIAA-CREF, Charlotte, North Carolina.

View the program at:

SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society 46th Annual Seminar -- March 30-April 2, Orlando.

Register today and join us on March 30-April 2 at this exceptional event to engage with leading industry experts and regulators, including: Mary Jo White, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission; Richard Ketchum, chairman and chief executive of FINRA; Preet Bharara, United States Attorney, Southern District of New York; and Andrea Seidt, president of North American Securities Administrators Association. Stay up to date with the latest regulatory developments and earn CLE Credits with more than 65 dynamic and informative panels. New keynote speaker added: Commissioner Drew Breakspear, Florida Office of Financial Regulation.

http://www.sifma.org/cl2014/

Moody's Teleconference: Outlook for US States and Local Governments.

Thursday, 12-Dec-2013 – Thursday, 12-Dec-2013

3:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM PST

On Thursday, December 12, 2013, Moody’s Investors Service will hold a teleconference to discuss our revision of the US Local Governments sector outlook to stable from negative, and our stable outlook for the US State Governments sector.

The following topics will be discussed:

Local Governments

Revised outlook to stable after maintaining negative outlook since 2009
Stable outlook applies to most of the sector, but pockets of credit pressure remain
Local governments’ “New Stable” reigns as the era of constrained resources persists, but the worst is over
Housing markets, property tax revenues and state funding have mostly stabilized as local governments are controlling costs; however, pension remain a drag

State Governments

Stabilizing national economy supports growth in state revenues and reserves
Aggregate state revenue growth continues, exceeding many fiscal 2013 state budgets
Highly rated states are rebuilding reserves to level consistent with long-term median
Areas of caution remain, as some states continue to feel pressure

You must register for the event in order to receive the dial in numbers.

A replay of this discussion will be available via a post event follow up email once the event has been completed.

https://www.cvent.com/events/moody-s-teleconference-outlook-for-us-states-and-local-governments/registration-7A9E99FB192F4C54AA9694E6EA7F60EB.aspx?i=276e5569-ff28-41dd-8b57-1746a949da19

Fitch U.S. Public Finance 2014 Outlook Teleconferences Schedule.

Fitch Ratings will host a series of teleconferences on its 2014 U.S. Public Finance Outlooks, including state & local governments, education & non-profits, transportation, healthcare, public power, and water & sewer.

View the full teleconference schedule:

https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/press_releases/detail.cfm?pr_id=810136

Dial-in number for U.S. participants is +1-877-467-8597.

Dial-in number for international participants is +1-706-643-6296

SIFMA Insurance and Risk Linked Securities Conference.

March 4-5, 2014

Grand Hyatt

New York, NY

SIFMA’s annual Insurance-and-Risk-Linked Securities Conference is the leading forum for updates, strategies and insights into the top industry issues in the coming year.

Learn more and register at:

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1184

Reminder to Register for the MSRB EMMA Webinar.

It’s not too late to register for the Monday, December 9, 2013 “EMMA® for Municipal Advisors” webinar at 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. This webinar introduces EMMA, the MSRB’s Electronic Municipal Market Access website, and describes the municipal market information, tools and resources available on EMMA for municipal advisors and their issuer clients.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/664261442

NaCo: Road to Resilience: Stormwater Planning.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM EST

Whether you live in a coastal county or a flood-prone county, this webinar will prepare you with a host of resources to improve the stormwater resilience of your county. You will learn how landcover is linked to water quality, and how stormwater affects important areas of concern in your community like health, flooding, erosion, pollution, and infrastructure. You will learn about tools to help visualize land cover, as well as grey infrastructure and green infrastructure strategies to deal with stormwater issues. Finally, you will hear stories about how some communities built a network to collaborate with other organizations to deal with these issues.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/509757762

SIFMA Compliance and Legal Society Annual Seminar 2014.

March 30 – April 2, 2014

Grande Lakes

Orlando, FL

Program Topics

Regulatory Developments: Hear It Directly From the Regulators
Restoring Trust & Confidence to the Financial Services Industry
Implementation of Legislative Changes: Dodd-Frank and Beyond
Arbitration & Enforcement Developments
Retail Compliance & Advisory Issues
Social Media & New Technologies
Ethical Considerations for Lawyers and Compliance Professionals
Update on Trading Issues
Current Issues in Bank Regulation
…and much more!

Registration and Hotel questions? E-mail the C&L Society or call 212.313.1230

Sponsorship questions? Contact Diana Serri

P3C 2014 : The Public-Private Partnership Conference.

Dallas, Texas February 24–February 25, 2014

P3C is a leading community development event that highlights the latest projects, trends, and opportunities in public-private partnerships. Our business conferences are high profile settings for municipalities to announce, unveil, and discuss upcoming development projects.

http://thep3conference.com/

The Bond Buyer and BDA Present the National Municipal Bond Summit.

March 26-28, 2014

Fontainebleau Miami Beach | Miami Beach, FL

Join your peers—senior public-sector issuers, investors and credit analysts, investment bankers, attorneys, and other professionals—as they discuss the serious challenges facing the market in 2014 and develop strategies for moving forward.

Interested in Sponsoring?

For more information about sponsorships and exhibiting, contact Mike Ballinger at (212) 803-8481.

Register for MSRB's Online Outreach Seminar.

It’s not too late to register to attend the online version of a December 5th municipal securities outreach event co-hosted by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and the Municipal Advisory Council of Michigan. Beginning at 2:00 P.M. ET, representatives from the MSRB will discuss municipal advisor regulation, promoting price transparency and providing resources for state and local government issuers, which are among the MSRB’s initiatives that support its mission to protect investors and municipal entities.

View the seminar agenda: http://msrb.org/msrb1/pdfs/MichiganOureachSeminarAgenda.pdf

Government Finance Officers Association’s 108th Annual Conference.

May 18-21, 2014, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Go to GFOA’s annual conference page to sign up today and save with the early discounted registration fees:

http://www.gfoa.org/conference/

NFMA Advanced Seminar on the Credit Impacts of Natural Disasters.

The program for the NFMA Advanced Seminar on the Credit Impacts of Natural Disasters, January 30 & 31 in New Orleans, is available.

Click here to see the program:

http://www.nfma.org/assets/documents/education/asjan14/asjan14program.pdf

Click here to register:

https://nfma.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mc&view=formlogin&form=153678&return=L2luZGV4LnBocD9vcHRpb249Y29tX21jJnZpZXc9bWMmbWNpZD1mb3JtXzE1MzY3OD9zZXJ2SWQ9MjcyNiZvcHRpb249Y29tX21jJnZpZXc9bWMmbWNpZD1mb3JtXzE1MzY3OA

SIFMA Insurance- & Risk-Linked Securities Conference -- March 4-5, NYC.

SIFMA’s IRLS Annual Conference is a strategic and comprehensive conference designed for senior level representatives from the insurance and reinsurance industry, investment banks, consultants, rating agencies, regulators, and law firms. Join us March 4-5 in New York for the latest developments and insights — from identifying and mobilizing new sources of capital, examining reinsurance’s evolving role, to emerging legal issues and broadening the industry’s scope.

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1184

MSRB Webinar Series for Municipal Advisors.

Join Us November 21 and December 9

As part of its comprehensive approach to municipal advisor regulation, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) plans to offer a series of webinars to provide municipal advisors with information on proposed municipal advisor rules and available resources. The webinars will help ensure municipal advisors and other market participants have the opportunity to engage with the MSRB, ask questions and stay informed throughout the process of implementing a regulatory framework for municipal advisors.

Registration is now open for the first two webinars in the series.

Being Regulated: An Introductory Webinar for Municipal Advisors

Thursday, November 21, 2013

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET

For those municipal advisors that may be unfamiliar with regulatory oversight, this webinar provides an overview of being regulated, required registration and fees, and how to participate in the MSRB’s rulemaking process.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/521057954

EMMA® for Municipal Advisors

Monday, December 9, 2013

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET

This webinar introduces EMMA, the MSRB’s Electronic Municipal Market Access website, and describes the municipal market information, tools and resources available on EMMA for municipal advisors and their issuer clients.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/664261442

ABA: Locked Down: Security in Using Cloud Services and Mobile Devices.

CLE Webinar December 9, 2013 @ 1:00 PM Eastern

Attorneys have ethical and legal duties to safeguard information relating to clients. The latest technology, including cloud computing and mobile devices, presents new challenges in data protection. Attorneys should embrace new technologies, but have to understand and address the risks. This session will explore attorneys’ duties to secure data and best practices for security in the cloud and on the road.

Learn about attorneys’ duties to safeguard confidential data
Find out how attorneys are using the cloud and mobile devices
Understand the risks presented by this current technology
Learn current best practices for security in the cloud and on the road, including specific safeguards that attorneys should employ

https://apps.americanbar.org/aba_timssnet/meetings/tnt_meetings.cfm?action=long&primary_id=GD12913&webtextid=79825&Subsystem=MTG&related_prod_flag=0

MSRB to Host Education and Outreach Event in Livonia, MI.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) is reminding municipal market participants that it will host an education and outreach event in Livonia, Michigan on December 5, 2013. The MSRB will discuss the organization’s current initiatives in support of its mission to protect investors and municipal entities, including municipal advisor regulation, promoting price transparency and providing resources for state and local government issuers.

Learn more: http://www.msrb.org/Home/News-and-Events/Upcoming-Events.aspx

Register: http://a3.acteva.com/orderbooking/loadEventRegistration.action?skuId=36ED214801415546029D71CA03E32BF6&catalogId=3211253B01310611E91018F70051E987&catalogGoWord=&emailAttendeeId=

Attend online: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/647692618

Bloomberg State & Municipal Finance Conference.

November 6, 2013

The Cutting Room | New York

This year’s conference will examine the economic restructuring and revival happening across different states and municipalities and how they’re impacting the $3.7 trillion U.S. municipal-bond market. We’ll discuss restructuring, as in the case of Detroit and other similar outliers, as well as many state and local pension plans, and examine how real the revival is elsewhere.

The Bloomberg State & Municipal Finance conference will convene public sector policy makers, pension fund managers, institutional investors and issuers in a program that examines issues central to state and municipal finance and provides investors with information needed to evaluate opportunities in the municipal bond market.

For more information and to register: http://www.bloomberglink.com/events/munis-2013/

2013 Conference on Public Pension Underfunding.

This one-and-a-half-day conference highlights research and encourages a dialogue on the economic and financial market impacts of the fiscal burden on state and local governments resulting from underfunded public pension plans. To explore this topic, the conference will focus on three major themes:

The challenges state and local governments face in restoring balance in the funding of public pension plans
The impact of economic conditions, financial market volatility, and low interest rates on public pension plan investment portfolios
The ambiguity and evolution of the current legal environment regarding public pension reform
The conference will feature research and policy sessions including both presentations and discussion panels on related agenda topics.

For more information and to register: http://www.clevelandfed.org/events/2013/pensions/index.cfm

Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

NFMA: Introduction to Municipal Bond Credit Analysis.

Register for the NFMA Introduction to Municipal Bond Credit Analysis to be held in Philadelphia on November 7 & 8. Program details: click here. This program is open to members, non-members, students, support, trading, sales staff, and government employees.

Program details:

http://www.nfma.org/assets/documents/education/intro13/intro.program.short.2013.pdf

https://nfma.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mc&view=formlogin&form=149678&return=L2luZGV4LnBocD9vcHRpb249Y29tX21jJnZpZXc9bWMmbWNpZD1mb3JtXzE0OTY3OD9zZXJ2SWQ9MjcyNiZvcHRpb249Y29tX21jJnZpZXc9bWMmbWNpZD1mb3JtXzE0OTY3OA==

NABL: Ethical Lessons for Bond Counsel of the GIC Bid-Rigging Teleconference.

When: Thursday, November 21, 1:00-2:30 pm

Registration: $195 for members; $250 for non-members

What you will learn: Back by popular demand – a repeat of the popular session led by Howard Zucker, Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP, at the 2013 Tax and Securities Law Institute, entitled, “Lessons for Bond Counsel of the GIC Bid Rigging Trails & Settlements”. The panelists include representatives from the IRS, the SEC, the Department of Justice, and NABL member Walter St. Onge, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP. This teleconference explores the history of the Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GIC) bid-rigging enforcement actions, trials, and settlements, and the ethical lessons for Bond Counsel.

Moderator: Howard Zucker, Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP

Panelists:

Rebecca Meiklejohn, U.S. Department of Justice
Todd Mitchell, IRS Office of Tax Exempt Bonds
Michael Okubo, IRS Criminal Investigations Unit
Walter J. St. Onge III, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP
Mark R. Zehner, SEC Office of Enforcement

CLE Information: NABL has applied for and anticipates receiving ethics CLE credit for between 1.5 and 1.8 hours in most states that accredit teleconferences. No credit will be available in Pennsylvania. Be sure to include your CLE states and identifying numbers on the registration form. Certificates of Attendance will be e-mailed to attendees following the program, and credit hours will be reported to those states that require sponsors to report credit, based on the telephone records, and where required, the attendance codes supplied during the program.

MSRB to Host Regional Education and Outreach Seminars in Fiscal Year 2014.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) announced today it will host three education and outreach events for municipal market professionals around the country during its new fiscal year, beginning in Livonia, Michigan on December 5, 2013. The events will provide an opportunity for industry professionals to learn about the MSRB’s initiatives to protect municipal securities investors and state and local governments. The MSRB will also host seminars in Atlanta, Georgia on January 28, 2014 and Chicago, Illinois on July 29, 2014.

The MSRB, which oversees the municipal securities market, will co-host the December 5th seminar with the Municipal Advisory Council of Michigan from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at VisTaTech Center at Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152. Representatives from the MSRB will discuss the organization’s current initiatives in support of its mission to protect investors and municipal entities, including municipal advisor regulation, promoting price transparency and providing resources for state and local government issuers.

http://a3.acteva.com/orderbooking/loadEventRegistration.action?skuId=36ED214801415546029D71CA03E32BF6&catalogId=3211253B01310611E91018F70051E987&catalogGoWord=&emailAttendeeId=

AICPA and SIFMA FMS Conference on the Securities Industry.

Join the AICPA and SIFMA’s Financial Management Society on October 24-25 in New York for the most comprehensive updates and insights on accounting and regulatory issues from prominent industry experts and regulators.

This intensive program is designed for Accounting, Regulatory and Financial professionals as well as public practitioners involved with the securities industry. The conference will give you first-hand access to regulators and exposure to the latest developments, in-depth analysis and thought provoking Q&A sessions with industry insiders.

http://www.cpa2biz.com/AST/Main/CPA2BIZ_Primary/AuditAttest/IndustryspecificGuidance/Securities/PRDOVR~PC-SECUR/PC-SECUR.jsp

SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society New York Regional Seminar.

We cordially invite you to attend the SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society New York Regional Seminar to be held at the Conrad New York Hotel on Monday, October 28th, 2013. This one day seminar will feature presentations by leading securities regulators and industry professionals.

Topics Include:

Current Regulatory and Examination Priorities
Derivatives – Dodd-Frank Implementation Updates
Status of Uniform Standard of Care
Retail Compliance Issues
Ethical Issues for Legal and Compliance Professionals (CLE Ethics Credit)
Current Institutional Sales, Trading and Research Issues
Significant Enforcement Actions
Recent Developments in AML, FCPA and Sanctions

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1136

SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society New York Regional Seminar.

Topics Include:

Current Regulatory and Examination Priorities
Derivatives – Dodd-Frank Implementation Updates
Status of Uniform Standard of Care
Retail Compliance Issues
Ethical Issues for Legal and Compliance Professionals (CLE Ethics Credit)
Current Institutional Sales, Trading and Research Issues
Significant Enforcement Actions
Recent Developments in AML, FCPA and Sanctions

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1136

IRS Phone Forum: Tribal Bond Financing - The Basics.

The office of Indian Tribal Governments will host a free phone forum on Thursday, September 26, 2013, at 2 p.m. (EST).

Click here for more information and to register:

http://www.irs.gov/Government-Entities/Indian-Tribal-Governments/Phone-Forum-Tribal-Bonds-Financing-the-Basics

The Bond Buyer's 23rd Annual California Public Finance Conference.

September 25-27, 2013

JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. | Los Angeles, CA

A rebounding economy, years of difficult cuts, and the voters trusting state leaders with a majority-vote budget and a temporary tax increase have brought California to a balanced budget after years of severe budget gaps. But how to maintain that stability while pivoting to strengthen the state, avoid mistakes of the past, and minimize the devastating impacts economic downturns can have on the Golden State’s taxpayers?

Since inception The Bond Buyer’s California Public Finance Conference is the place where California’s municipal finance leaders—from public sector issuers to investors, investment bankers, and attorneys—meet to discuss the challenges and craft strategies for building a sustainable fiscal future.

This year’s agenda is a roster of thought leaders and market professionals, discussing the economy with an increased focus on issuers speaking directly to their peers, sharing their experiences and expertise in the current market and budgetary environment.

The Bond Buyer’s 23rd Annual California Public Finance Conference is your best opportunity to gain the information and strategies you need to deal with the challenges facing issuers and the municipal bond market. The event is the largest of its kind, last year drawing record-breaking attendance!

TEB Phone Forum: Voluntary Compliance and Voluntary Closing Agreement program.

The office of Tax Exempt Bonds will host a free Phone Forum on Tuesday, September 17, 2013, at 2 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Topics covered:

Compliance Overview for Tax-Advantaged Bonds
TEB Voluntary Closing Agreement Program Overview
New Developments in TEB VCAP, including Form 14429
TEB VCAP: Identified Violations and Resolution Standards

For more information and to register, please read this article on IRS.gov: http://www.irs.gov/Tax-Exempt-Bonds/TEB-Phone-Forum-Voluntary-Compliance-and-VCAP

If you have a specific question about Tax Exempt Bonds, call Tax Exempt Bond Customer Service at 1-877-829-5500.

National League of Cities: Innovation and the City: Upcoming Webinar Highlights Local Innovations.

NLC, in partnership with Citi Community Development, is hosting a webinar on Thursday, September 5th from 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET to showcase the growing vitality, experimentation, and creativity of cities in the U.S. “Innovation and the City” will highlight examples from two recent reports by the Center for an Urban Future and NYU Wagner Innovation Labs, including:

Seattle’s Sector Panels to foster workforce alignment;
San Francisco Kindergarten to College Savings program; and
Denver’s Peak Academy, which promotes city staff-level innovation.

At a time when local budgets are strapped and city leaders are looking for creative ways to meet current needs of their community and promote sustainable growth and economic development, these examples provide an outside-the-box approach that can be adapted and scaled to other communities.

“Urbanization, digitization and globalization are shaping the way we create, participate in, and deliver public services,” Bob Annibale, Global Director of Citi Community Development and Microfinance. “[This report] highlights how cities will continue to be the wellsprings of our best ideas.”

Marlena Sessions, Chief Executive Officer of the Seattle Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County describes the Sector Panels program as an initiative that targets education and job skills development around what the local industry needs are. Their approach is to “…listen to industry and let them lead us.” Traditionally, job skills development programs have prepared job seekers, but not in ways that are nuanced to what the local demands are. Sessions adds that “targeting programs around individuals without asking what the industry needs is missing the boat.” By letting the region’s industry partners voice their needs, job seekers know what will be required of them and allows the Workforce Development Council to develop a more focused training program.

The Kindergarten to College Savings program drives innovation in a new way by being the first-ever universal college savings account in the country for the City of San Francisco’s public school kindergarten students. The program is a unique public-private partnership between the City and County of San Francisco and Citi. Kindergartners at participating schools are given a savings account containing its first $50 that parents and family members can then contribute to. The program, which kicked off in 2010 and was fully up and running in the fall of 2012, benefits residents by not only incentivizing children to go to college but providing the financial backing they need for this investment in their future.

The Peak Academy program in Denver provides training and education for city staff to help them better serve their communities. City staff attend a five-day training to develop performance measurement skills and tools for continuous improvement of city services and programs. This program has allowed city departments to realize cost savings by reassessing the way they operate programs, and by gaining efficiencies through collaboration with other departments.

The presenters on the webinar will delve into more detail about how these initiatives got off the ground and what factors are contributing to their success. These examples from Denver, Seattle, and San Francisco will also be explored in more detail at NLC’s National Summit on Your City’s Famlies and annual Congress of Cities taking place in Seattle, Wash., from November 12-16.

To register for the webinar, click here: http://www.nlc.org/build-skills-and-networks/education-and-training/event-calendar/innovation-and-the-city

For more information about the webinar or the examples in the report, contact Julia Pulidindi at [email protected] or (202) 626-3176.

Help Your Clients Avoid the Next Detroit.

Editorial Web Seminar

August 28, 2013 | 2 pm ET/11 am PT

Your clients want their municipal bond portfolios to be boring: Generating steady, tax-free income with little risk. But as states and local governments continue to struggle to bring their spending under control, and the City of Detroit filing an unprecedented bankruptcy case, it’s growing harder to achieve that balance. Find out how you can protect your clients from trouble – and calm their concerns about this mainstay asset class – in a new web seminar from Financial Planning / On Wall Street and The Bond Buyer – known as the “bible” of the municipal bond industry.

This special event, featuring experts from The Bond Buyer and All-Star Municipal Bond Analyst John Hallacy, will answer key questions, including:

Which Detroit bonds are most at risk for a “haircut” in the bankruptcy … and which are surprisingly safe
Will the Detroit case make it easier for other cities to write off their debts
What warning signs should advisors and investors watch for in other cities
What investors need to know when other cities try to stabilize their budgets without bankruptcy
Your clients rely on you for reasoned, analytical advice during periods of market turmoil. Get the information you need to answer their concerns and protect their interests.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Wealth Managers
Investment Advisors
Brokers

Moderator:

Michael Stanton, Publisher, The Bond Buyer

Speakers:

Caitlin Devitt, Midwest Reporter, The Bond Buyer

John Hallacy, Expert Municipal Bond Analyst

http://www.financial-planning.com/subscribe/lead.html?product_id=2685942&?st=Pmail&s=bbc-enl-P2&utm_source=bbc-enl-P2&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20130807_fnp_editorial_ws&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonvK3AZKXonjHpfsXw7egrXaK3lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4DTcdnI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFT7XAMaV0z7gIWhU%3D

The Affordable Care Act and Your City - Helping Residents Help Themselves.

DATE: August 28, 2013

TIME: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

LOCATION:Online

CATEGORY:Webinar

Overview

The National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be offering a learning session on the Health Insurance Marketplace and Small Business Health Insurance Options Program (SHOP), and how you as an elected official can help your residents and your city’s small employers obtain the health care coverage they need and want.

This learning session will not be about the politics of the Affordable Care Act or the politics of the Healthcare Marketplaces and SHOPS, but about the reality of the Marketplaces and SHOPS, and how every city elected official can help guide their residents and small employers to the right place so that they can purchase affordable, quality health insurance.

https://my.nlc.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=EventInfo&Reg_evt_key=3DB2D761-F433-4158-917E-51DA0F7357CF&RegPath=EventRegFees&FreeEvent=0&Event=The%20Affordable%20Care%20Act%20and%20Your%20City:%20%20Helping%20Residents%20Help%20Themselves&FundraisingEvent=0&evt_guest_limit=0

Bond Dealers of America: The 5th National Fixed Income Conference.

October 10-11, 2013 The Ritz Carlton, Chicago, IL

Conference Highlights:

In depth look at the municipal and taxable markets featuring Tom Doe of Municipal Market Advisors and Will Rhode of The TABB Group
The future of MBS securitization from Mark Hanson at Freddie Mac
Muni and taxable regulation featuring the MSRB, FINRA and IRS and much more
Dealer breakout sessions
Corporate credit market conditions and expectations
Municipal bankruptcy and what Detroit actually means for the markets
DC update and outlook for federal tax reform

View agenda:

http://www.cvent.com/events/2013-bda-national-fixed-income-conference/agenda-71272792a2dd4899bd7ec46db938735d.aspx

https://www.cvent.com/events/2013-bda-national-fixed-income-conference/registration-71272792a2dd4899bd7ec46db938735d.aspx

TEB Phone Forum: Monitoring Post-Issuance Compliance.

Date: August 27, 2013

Time: 2 p.m. Eastern Time

What: During this 60-minute presentation we will cover:

TEB and Post-issuance Compliance: Integration In TEB’s Programs
Application of Post-Issuance Compliance to Private Business Use Rules
Application of Post-Issuance Compliance to Arbitrage Rules
Discussion of Record Retention

You are encouraged to e-mail questions on or before August 21, 2012. Please include your name and telephone number with your question.

Click here to register. Please register as soon as possible because space is limited. http://apps.irs.gov/app/scripts/exit.jsp?dest=http://ems.intellor.com/index.cgi?p=204767&t=71&do=register&s=&rID=427&edID=305

SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society New York Regional Seminar.

Topics Include:

Current Regulatory and Examination Priorities
Derivatives – Dodd-Frank Implementation Updates
Status of Uniform Standard of Care
Retail Compliance Issues
Ethical Issues for Legal and Compliance Professionals (CLE Ethics Credit)
Current Institutional Sales, Trading and Research Issues
Significant Enforcement Actions
Recent Developments in AML, FCPA and Sanctions

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1136

National Federation of Municipal Analysts Advanced Seminar on Transportation – October 3-4, 2013.

The dates of the program are October 3 & 4, with an optional site tour of DFW on October 2. The seminar will take place at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

The program is available at: http://www.nfma.org/assets/documents/education/asoct13/asoct13program.pdf

https://nfma.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mc&view=formlogin&form=147259&return=L2luZGV4LnBocD9vcHRpb249Y29tX21jJnZpZXc9bWMmbWNpZD1mb3JtXzE0NzI1OT9zZXJ2SWQ9MjcyNiZvcHRpb249Y29tX21jJnZpZXc9bWMmbWNpZD1mb3JtXzE0NzI1OQ==

SIFMA Social Media Seminar - October 16, 2013 – NYC.

SIFMA is pleased to announce the next Social Media Seminar on October 16, 2013, in New York. This one-day event will bring together experts to explore the rapidly evolving tools of social media.

Whether you’re considering social media initiatives or want to take your investor engagement to the next level, join us on October 16 to learn best practices for the financial services industry and to address compliance issues with regulatory experts.

Who Should Attend:

Business and Client Management Professionals
Compliance Professionals
Financial Advisors
Attorneys
Marketing Directors
Sales Managers
Training Leaders

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1131

SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society Charlotte Regional Seminar – September 30.

We cordially invite you to attend the SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society Charlotte Regional Seminar to be held at The Ritz-Carlton on September 30th, 2013. This one day seminar will feature presentations by leading securities regulators and industry professionals.

TOPICS INCLUDE:

Hot Topics In Securities Enforcement
Cybersecurity
Compliance Framework for Bank Supervision
Investment Advisors – New Issues and Challenges
The Evolving Role of Compliance
AML and FCPA

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1135

SEC Announces Compliance Outreach Program Regional Seminars for Investment Adviser and Investment Company Senior Officers.

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the schedule for its upcoming Compliance Outreach Program regional seminars in several cities around the country for investment adviser and investment company senior officers, including chief compliance officers (CCOs).

The SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE), Division of Investment Management, and Division of Enforcement’s Asset Management Unit are jointly sponsoring the regional seminars for investment companies and investment advisers. The seminars highlight areas of focus for compliance professionals. They provide an opportunity for the SEC staff to identify common issues found in related examinations or investigations and discuss industry practices, including how compliance professionals have addressed such matters.

The Compliance Outreach Program was created to promote open communication on mutual fund, investment adviser, and broker-dealer compliance issues. The program, formerly known as the CCOutreach Program, was redesigned in 2011 to include all senior officers, not just CCOs, underscoring the importance of compliance throughout a firm’s business operations.

The series of regional seminars kicked off in Boston on May 16 with panel discussions on the priorities for the SEC’s National Examination Program, current topics in money management regulation, and OCIE’s process for assessing risks and selecting firms for examination.

The remaining seminars:

Chicago – August 28: This seminar will present an overview of the examination process, including how registrants are selected for examination and the most commonly identified deficiencies. There also will be three discussion panels on traded and non-traded real estate investment trusts, on investment companies with special emphasis on alternative investment funds and money market funds, and on current enforcement actions in the investment management industry. Lastly, there will be a breakout session focusing on custody and compliance for small advisers.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RegisterFor2013ComplianceOutreachProgramChicagoIL

New York – September 13: This seminar will be most relevant to newly registered investment advisers, to dual registrants and to investment advisers affiliated broker-dealers. The topics most relevant to newly registered advisers will include the SEC’s examination process, priorities, risk surveillance, and examination selection process. In addition, the staff will discuss Form PF and other filing requirements and recent industry and regulatory developments. The topics most applicable to dual registrants or advisers with affiliated broker-dealers will address the staff’s coordinated examination process, common examination findings, and controls that some firms use to address conflicts of interest.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RegisterFor2013ComplianceOutreachProgramNewYorkNY

Atlanta – September 25: This seminar will discuss the importance of enterprise risk management and effective compliance and will identify key issues noted during examinations, including conflicts of interests and issues associated with fees, such as undisclosed remuneration, miscalculation, and layering. Additional discussion topics include the changing demographics of SEC-registered investment advisers and key examination program initiatives to address such changes.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RegisterFor2013ComplianceOutreachProgramAtlantaGA

San Francisco – November 6: This seminar will feature an overview of the SEC’s examination processes and procedures and a discussion of OCIE and AMU priorities. Emphasis also will be placed on valuation issues, including best practices for valuing assets by private and registered investment funds.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RegisterFor2013ComplianceOutreachProgramSanFranciscoCA

If registrations exceed capacity at an event location, investment company and investment adviser CCOs will be given priority on a first-come, first-registered basis. Instructions on registering for the regional seminars will be sent to each SEC-registered investment adviser using the e-mail account on the adviser’s Form ADV filing. For more information, contact: [email protected]

FICA Replacement Plans Phone Forum Now Available.

The June 27 recording of the “FICA Replacement Plans” Phone Forum, is available. The 60-minute presentation covers:

Social Security Coverage laws
Qualified Employer’s Retirement systems
Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plan
Revenue Procedure 91-40
FICA replacement plans

You will have access to a transcript with links to sites and forms for your convenience.

http://www.irsvideos.gov/Governments/Employers/FICAReplacementPlans

SIFMA Social Media Seminar – October 16 – NYC.

SIFMA is pleased to announce the next Social Media Seminar on October 16, 2013, in New York. This one-day event will bring together experts to explore the rapidly evolving tools of social media.

Who Should Attend:

Business and Client Management Professionals
Compliance Professionals
Financial Advisors
Attorneys
Marketing Directors
Sales Managers
Training Leaders

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1131

SIFMA 2013 Annual Meeting.

President Clinton and Gov. Bush to deliver keynote addresses — Nov 11-12, NYC

SIFMA’s 2013 Annual Meeting — Helping Americans Succeed, Helping Main Street Prosper — brings the leaders of the financial-services industry together with prominent policymakers, thought leaders and financial media. Join us as we explore the role of financial services in providing the capital to fuel the U.S. economy and enhance prosperity for all Americans. We are honored to have President Bill Clinton and Governor Jeb Bush provide our keynote addresses. Confirmed speakers to date include Richard G. Ketchum, chairman and chief executive officer of FINRA; Karen B. Peetz, president of BNY Mellon; and Paul E. Purcell, chairman, president and CEO of Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. This year, we will introduce deep-dive breakout sessions for specific business, legal, compliance and operational professionals on critical issues affecting our financial markets — CLE credits will be available.

View the program at:

http://www.sifma.org/annual2013/program/

http://www.sifma.org/events/2013/sifma_annual_meeting_2013/register/

Moody's Teleconference: California State and Local Governments Update.

On Wednesday, July 17, 2013, 10:00 AM PDT, Moody’s Investors Service will hold a teleconference to discuss recent developments for the State of California and its local governments.

The discussion will be led by:

Eric Hoffmann- Senior Vice President, Public Finance Group (Moderator)

Emily Raimes- Vice President, Senior Credit Officer, Public Finance Group

The following topics will be discussed:

Assessment of the state’s improved revenue and economic picture
Implications of the state’s improved fiscal prospects for local governments
Local governments still struggling: Stockton and others
Update on Redevelopment Agencies
Moody’s Adjusted Pension Calculations Implications for California

You must register for the event in order to receive the dial in numbers.

A replay of this discussion will be available via a post event follow up email once the event has been completed.

https://www.cvent.com/events/moody-s-teleconference-california-state-and-local-governments-update/registration-DA49C45CF33C411C8697924D38F6355D.aspx?i=BD7CFB94-77AB-432E-BB36-196B4DBEB173

SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society San Francisco Regional Seminar.

We cordially invite you to attend the SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society San Francisco Regional Seminar to be held at Charles Schwab on Thursday, August 1st, 2013. This one day seminar will feature presentations by leading securities regulators and industry professionals.

TOPICS INCLUDE:

AML – New trends and areas of focus
Arbitration & Litigation Update
“Where was Compliance?” – Keeping up with changing and conflicting priorities
KYC & Suitability – Institutional & retail post implementation experiences
Regulatory Priorities

August 1, 2013

Charles Schwab – 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

Industry members – $ 150

Counsel members – $ 250

Special members – $ 250

Non-member firms – $ 450

Regulators – FREE

Early Bird Rates to End on July 10th

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1140&AdWordId=false

SIFMA: Derivatives 101 – July 17, 2013 – NYC.

What exactly is a SWAP? This half-day program will focus on the fundamentals of derivatives regulation, answering even the most basic questions. In the aftermath of Dodd-Frank, many securities and commodities professionals are now responsible for derivatives – often without much background in these products.

This program is designed to give both seasoned and newly appointed legal and compliance professionals a comprehensive overview of derivatives including product types, market structure, regulatory framework, and the impact of Dodd-Frank on derivatives regulation.

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1149

MSRB to Co-Host Boston Education and Outreach Seminar.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and the Boston Women in Public Finance will co-host an education and outreach event for municipal market professionals on July 23, 2013 in Boston, MA. The event will provide an opportunity for industry professionals to learn about the MSRB’s priorities, its rulemaking efforts for municipal advisors and dealers, and current issues facing the municipal securities market.

The seminar will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET at the Millennium Bostonian Hotel, 26 North Street, Boston, MA 02109. Representatives from the MSRB will discuss its recent rulemaking and transparency initiatives in support of its mission to protect investors and municipal entities. MSRB staff will also discuss municipal market structure issues. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Assistant State Treasurer for Debt Management Colin MacNaught will join MSRB Chair Jay Goldstone for a discussion on considerations for defining issuer protection.

View the seminar agenda at:

http://msrb.org/msrb1/pdfs/BostonOutreachAgenda_July-23-2013.pdf

The seminar is open to all members of the municipal securities community. There is no cost to attend; however, pre-registration is required. The deadline to register is July 16, 2013.

http://a3.acteva.com/orderbooking/loadEventRegistration.action?skuId=32134AFA013A6A29C4623B196A08B65D&catalogId=3211253B01310611E91018F70051E987&catalogGoWord=&emailAttendeeId=

For those unable to attend the outreach event in person, the MSRB will webcast the Boston event to expand accessibility to all industry professionals.

http://psav.mediasite.com/Mediasite/Login/Register?ReturnUrl=%2Fmediasite%2FPlay%2F8442bf2a4ccd48c58a32c29f28174fc41d

38th Bond Attorneys' Workshop – Chicago – September 25-27.

This year the Workshop will be held September 25-27, 2013 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. The Workshop will offer 30 different panel sessions which will be both informative and timely, addressing matters of critical importance to the municipal finance industry. NABL Members receive the special discounted rate of $795 for Workshop registration. Join NABL now to obtain a membership for the remainder of 2013 and all of 2014 and the Workshop registration fee for less than the cost of the non-member registration fee! In a fast-changing world, you cannot afford to miss this Workshop.

http://www.nabl.org/education/event/bond-attorney-workshop

The Bond Buyer & Brandeis International Business School Present 2013 Municipal Finance Conference – August 1-2 – Boston.

August 1-2, 2013

Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, MA

A conference for both academics and practitioners on recent developments in municipal credit markets and the practice of public finance.

The 2013 Municipal Finance Conference, hosted by the Brandeis International Business School will bring together academics, practitioners, regulators and issuers to discuss the changing state of municipal capital markets and how to analyze, address, and adapt to the changing landscape.

This is a unique event spanning the academic and financial communities, attracting the nation’s leading thinkers on public finance and municipal markets to discuss their original research and receive feedback from the professionals who know how the academic theories translate into real-world action.

24 original research papers, selected by a panel of senior academic researchers on municipal finance topics, ranging from market efficiency to disclosure and fiscal distress, will be presented. View the papers and their authors.

As securities regulators and Congress mull far-reaching changes to the municipal market, they have made it clear that they will be looking to academic researchers to help them identify trouble spots and recommend new solutions. The 2013 conference is the industry’s best opportunity to hear what is being studied … and provide feedback to make sure the results are grounded in the “real world.”

Academics attend FREE — Issuers $95, Buyside Participants $195, All Other Professionals $245. For more information, or to register, contact Dan Tina at (212) 803-8487.

http://www.bondbuyer.com/conferences/brandeis/

WEBCAST - IN FOCUS: GASB/FASB UPDATE.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) webcast IN FOCUS: GASB/FASB Update. This live webcast, offered free of charge, will take place on Monday, June 10, 2013, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. EDT. Participants in the live broadcast will be eligible for up to 1 hour of CPE credit. (Please note that CPE credit is not available for group viewing of the live broadcast.)

Topics of discussion will include:

An overview of GASB projects in progress and recently-issued GASB pronouncements
An overview of FASB projects in progress and recently-issued FASB Accounting Standards Updates, including Investment Companies, Discontinued Operations, Going Concern, and Liquidation Basis of Accounting.

An archive of the webcast will be available on the GASB and FASB websites through September 8, 2013. (CPE credit will not be available to those who view only the archived webcast.)

SIFMA Tech 2013, the Financial Industry's Premier Technology Show.

June 18-19, NYC

SIFMA Tech convenes industry leaders, regulators and solution providers to dive into pressing industry issues and explore their solutions. Join us in 2013 for critical updates and expert outlooks that will help you achieve a technological infrastructure that facilitates operating efficiency and promotes sound risk management.

http://www.sifma.org/tech2013/home/

The Bond Buyer & Brandeis International Business School Present 2013 Municipal Finance Conference.

August 1-2, 2013

Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, MA

A conference for both academics and practitioners on recent developments in municipal credit markets and the practice of public finance.

Academics attend FREE — Issuers $95, Buyside Participants $195, All Other Professionals $245. For more information, or to register, contact Dan Tina at (212) 803-8487.

http://www.bondbuyer.com/conferences/brandeis/

Successful Investing in Charter Schools.

Finding Best Practices in a High-Yielding Sector

Bondbuyer Webinars, June 5, 2013, 12:00PM ET

Duration: 1 Hour

In their relatively short lifetime, charter school financings have spent significant time in the municipal market’s spotlight, as they exist at the intersection of the nation’s quest for more effective elementary education models, and investors’ chase for incremental income in a low-interest-rate environment.

This webinar will separate the hype – positive and negative – from the facts. An experienced roster of speakers who have played multiple roles in charter school transactions will provide participants with a discussion of the history and recent market trends in the charter school facilities finance sector coupled with an overview of a new research report detailing disclosure practices, financial metrics, payment performance and pricing history over the life of the sector. In addition, participants will receive a report on current structuring trends and credit considerations, as well as an overview of state-by-state legal considerations affecting bond transactions.

Featured Speakers:

Reena Bhatia, Local Initiatives Support Corporation
William Wildman, RBC Capital Markets
Eugene Clark-Herrera, Orrick

Who Should Attend?

State and Local Education Education Finance Officers
Charter School CFOs and Finance Directors
Institutional Investors seeking High-Yield Opportunities
Investment Analysts
Education-Focused Investment Bankers

http://www.bondbuyer.com/subscribe/lead.html?product_id=1051422

The Bond Buyer's 23rd Annual California Public Finance Conference.

September 25-27, 2013

JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE

Los Angeles, CA

More Than 800 Attendees in 2012

The Bond Buyer’s 23rd California Public Finance Conference will be attended by the state’s top municipal finance officers, along with representatives from banks, ratings agencies, investors, and other leading market professionals. View the list of last year’s conference attendees.

The conference will be relevant to all public-sector policy makers and advisors, even if you’re not the hands-on debt manager.

The Bond Buyer’s California Public Finance Conference is your best opportunity to gain the information and best practices you need to deal with the challenges facing issuers and the municipal bond market. The event is the largest of its kind, last year drawing record-breaking attendance!

Make your plans to join us, September 25-27 at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, in Los Angeles.

Register today and save with our pre-launch rates! Contact Dan Tina at (800) 803-5797 to register or for more information.

CPE credits are offered.

SIFMA Municipal Securities Regulation Seminar – San Francisco.

June 5, 2013 University Club of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

The Seminar is Open – Complimentary to all Members of the Municipal Securities Community.

This event is closed to the press.

SIFMA travels to San Francisco for a presentation by MSRB Regulation staff of their most pressing rulemaking initiatives including:
duties of underwriters to issuers; retail order periods;
bond ballot initiatives and
Rule G-37; and more.

The program will also include FINRA and the IRS on municipal securities compliance and enforcement matters.

The Seminar is Open – Complimentary to all Members of the Municipal Securities Community.

https://mbrservices.net/ConferenceRegistration/MeetingRegistration.aspx?meetingid=1124

SIFMA: Compliance and Legal Society - Regional St. Louis Seminar.

We cordially invite you to attend the SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society St. Louis Regional Seminar to be held at The Hilton Frontenac on Wednesday, June 5th, 2013. This one day seminar will feature presentations by leading securities regulators and industry professionals.

Topics Include:

Working with Aging Clients-Competency, Elder Abuse and supervising “complex products”
Banking business within broker/dealers—dealing with multiple regulators
Public Finance/Financial Advisors
Investment Advisors-regulatory, legal and supervisory matters
Cyber Risk/Data Protection
NASAA and State regulatory developments

http://www.sifma.org/cl-stlouis2013/home/

Joint Webcast of the FASB and the IASB Looks at Leases Exposure Draft.

Norwalk, CT, May 17, 2013—Registration is now open for an upcoming live webcast hosted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). IN FOCUS: The Leases Project will take place on Monday, May 20, 2013, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. EDT. U.S. participants in the live broadcast will be eligible for up to 1 hour of CPE credit. (Please note that CPE credit is not available for group viewing of the live broadcast.)

Webcast speakers include Russell Golden, FASB member; Darrel Scott, IASB member; Patrina Buchanan, IASB technical principal; Cullen Walsh, FASB practice fellow; and Danielle Zeyher, FASB project manager. Discussion will focus on the Boards’ revised Exposure Draft on leases, issued on May 16, 2013. The revised Exposure Draft proposes that most leases of lessees would be recognized on the balance sheet, with the goal of providing transparent information that is decision-useful to users of financial statements. Topics will include:

Why both Boards have a leases project on their agendas
How the proposals improve existing accounting
The right-of-use model that is central to the proposals and lease classification
The lessee and lessor accounting proposals, including disclosures
Reducing cost and complexity in response to feedback on the 2010 Exposure Draft

Next steps in the project.

An archive of the webcast will be available on the FASB website through August 18, 2013. (CPE credit will not be available to those who view only the archived webcast.)

https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=620898&sessionid=1&key=730E4A836D25EB2C2E1635B467BED83D&sourcepage=register