Kathie O'Donnell

"Bond by bond, project by project the muni market has helped to build the spaces and places where American life unfolds," SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said in a speech delivered at the MSRB's 50th Anniversary Celebration Tuesday evening.

"It shows the chairman's understanding of the practical realities of firms...," Peter Chan, a partner at Baker McKenzie said.

"Going forward, the staff will provide the other side with at least four weeks to make Wells submissions," SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said in a recent speech.

"It is a big problem across the board with all types of deal participants perhaps venturing into unregistered MA activity," said Susan Gaffney.

Stradling clients "were fortunate to receive proactive contact from SEC staff to reschedule imminent matters leading up to the shutdown," said Kathleen Marcus, a partner at Stradling.

Interactive Brokers said it "promptly addressed the issue that gave rise to the settlement."

The board also said it plans to return more than $23 million in surplus operating reserves to the municipal bond industry.

SIFMA looks forward to "the SEC approving this rate card, and the resulting fee reductions," Leslie Norwood said.

"I think, overwhelmingly, all of our market participants are wanting the same thing and that's really a thriving municipal market," Holiday said.

"If the open jacket policy is actually implemented—which we in the defense bar hope is the case—it would be a welcome reform," one attorney said.

An SEC investigation "is not a litigation," said Kathleen Marcus, a partner at Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth.

BDA plans to hold the fly-ins twice a year, CEO Mike Nicholas said.

The SEC-approved amendments will become effective in two stages, the MSRB said.

A group of bondholders are floating fresh financing to a bankrupt metals recycler that elevates their bonds above other holders.

The medal recognizes distinguished service in public finance overall.

Sanchez cited affordable housing and "project-based" types of transactions as areas "where we are seeing … lawyers more openly engaging in structuring that might be problematic." 

Kutak Rock's Matthias Edrich will begin his one-year term as NABL's president Sept. 10.

"As soon as you step back from the table, you may wind up on it," NABL's chief policy officer said.

If the SEC grants exemptive relief to firms seeking to offer a multi-class structure, "we will see more ETFs of actively managed municipal bond strategies."

Ryan's selection may indicate an SEC aiming to resolve more violations by other means than enforcement actions, one lawyer said.