If you are a municipal debt issuer and want to achieve the best borrowing value, your financial advisor should be talking to you about the Yield Curve when they advise you about issuing your Bonds. The below case is one example how under certain market conditions, savings might be achieved.…Read More
Every year when budget season arrives, invariably a constituent looks at the proposed budget, performs a thumb-nail analysis and questions why the rate of the proposed spending increase is greater than the Consumer Price Index (rate of inflation). There are several ways to respond to this inquiry: The CPI is…Read More
Municipal bonds dipped in value after on March 19th Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signaled that interest rates might increase in early 2015. During the question-and-answer segment of her press conference, she stated that the Fed could end its asset-purchase program in October 2014, and that it could begin increasing…Read More
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article consists of excerpts from a paper entitled “Factors for consulting engagement success,” written by Asst. Professor Ron D. McLachlin and published in the MCB University Press. Experts list the following six characteristics as the qualities of a successful consulting relationship: Consultant Integrity Client Readiness &…Read More
Without question the single most important concern of clients when issuing debt is the credit rating they are likely to receive. This is rightfully so, for where else does Wall Street so clearly meet Main Street.Invariably the conversation moves to the crux of the issue, the numbers. While predicting what…Read More
In the delivery of our services, one of the more common questions we get asked by municipal officials is “How do we improve our operations?” More often than not, the line of conversation flows into a story about the good knights of change being thwarted by the evil dragons out…Read More
Practically every sales call we make to prospective clients who currently work with another financial advisor tell us they are pleased with the services of their current advisor. It is only after talking with us for just a couple of minutes, do the mangers, elected officials and staff we speak…Read More
Multi-year financial planning, regardless of whether or not you have heard of it or are doing it, like it or not it, it is here to stay. Until recently and as a way for clients to add a structured approach to their finances, we have only recommended developing a multi-year…Read More
Several newsletters ago we included an article entitled “Public Referendum, Voter Approval or Not?” The article sought to frame the assessment of whether to seek a public referendum when issuing a bond to finance a public project; one of those issues which is so common in government where the rationale…Read More
Liberty Budget PresentationRead More