Chip Barnett

Moody's said the upgrade reflects continuing strong revenue and liquidity trends, completion of a debt-reduction program and increased pension contributions.

A report from CreditSights says risks will increase for coastal issuers of municipal bonds with increased flooding at high tides and during storms.

North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell talks with The Bond Buyer's Chip Barnett about how the state's economy has remained in financially good health despite dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic as well how the state deals with troubled municipalities. As chair of the debt affordability commission, he chats about bond issuance. He also discusses the ways to reform healthcare and increase transparency. (15 minutes)

Fitch also affirmed the city’s AA-minus general obligation bond and issuer default ratings.

Municipal bond issuance in the region was down 11.7% year-over-year in 2021, as new money, refunding, taxable and tax-exempt volume all slipped.

Moody's Investors Service said the upgrade reflected the university's robust, sustainable operating margins supported by consistent growth in tuition revenue.

Overall volume in the Southeast rose 1.8% last year even as taxable issuance plunged and refunding deals shriveled up.

Credit strengths include strong market position and service area economic fundamentals and an expected continued strong finance performance.

To help the city recover faster, former Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch has proposed a dedicated state-approved revenue stream to provide additional funding for the transit system.

Graceland drew on reserves to cover the Jan. 1 payment on two bond series and three other series were unable to make their interest payments.

The proposed issuance would refinance some of the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority’s outstanding bonds.

Despite competitive and demographic headwinds, Villanova's strong academic reputation as a selective private university will support student demand, Moody’s said.

The Volcker Alliance looks at the state’s outstanding municipal bonds and $83 billion in other obligations and suggests improved transparency and oversight.

Gross savings from the transaction is expected to be $378 million, or about $11 million a year, which would result in around $250 million in net present value debt service savings.

S&P Global Ratings has revised the outlook to positive from stable on the Bluegrass State and affirmed the A issuer credit rating.

Bonds defeased include state GOs and securities from the New Jersey Building Authority and the Economic Development Authority.

“We are working hard to secure the city’s financial health now and for future generations,” said Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti.

S&P said the action reflects the Orlando International Airport's financial resilience during the pandemic and its strong passenger recovery trends.

Paul Daley, managing director at BondWave, talks about fixed-income trading in 2021 and looks ahead to what may be in store for trading in municipal bonds this year. Chip Barnett hosts. (12 minutes)

“The firm was founded on the principle that there should be a high performing investment banking firm wholly owned by women and minorities," says president and CEO Suzanne Shank.