Taylor Riggs

The municipal market can expect $1.3 billion of new issuance for this holiday-shortened week, down dramatically from last week’s revised $8.1 billion.

Municipal bond issuance remains about half of what it was last year, with volume for the first six months down almost 44%.

A New York appeals court ruled that bond insurer MBIA Insurance Corp. can proceed with fraud claims against Countrywide Home Loans Inc., when the court Thursday denied Countrywide's motion to dismiss the case.

Acacia Financial Group Inc. has opened an office in the heart of Manhattan as the financial advisory firm looks to gain additional market share in the Northeast.

Bank policyholders suing MBIA Inc. over its $5 billion restructuring are now able to pursue claims in court after the New York State Court of Appeals reinstated the lawsuit.

NEW YORK - The New York State Court of Appeals reinstated a $5 billion fraudulent conveyance and breach of contract lawsuit brought by bank policyholders against MBIA Inc.

For the ninth consecutive quarter, U.S. public finance rating downgrades outnumbered upgrades during the first quarter of 2011, according to a new report by Fitch Ratings.

A court-appointed judicial hearing officer who previously had said e-mails sent between New York Insurance Department officials showed bias regarding the restructuring of bond insurer MBIA Insurance Corp. last week reversed his decision.

The municipal bond market will see $5.6 billion of new issuance this week, with two $1 billion dollar deals topping the charts. Issuance is down from last week's revised $5.8 billion, according to Thomson Reuters.

Historic low issuance in the municipal space is not stopping firms from attempting to increase their market presence.

While municipal bonds are becoming increasingly politicized as the debate over eliminating their tax exemption heats up, many analysts say it won't become a serious issue until the 2012 elections.

Bank policyholders suing the New York Insurance Department and MBIA Inc. say new documents made available to the public show MBIA senior executives concealed critical information from the NYID about the size of future losses at MBIA Insurance Corp.

The municipal market can expect about $5 billion in new issuance this week, making it the third week in a row to see volume at that relatively subdued level. Last week saw a revised $5.11 billion, following a revised $7.8 billion the week before.

Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. and Assured Guaranty Corp. are able to keep their AA-plus ratings, at least until this fall, when Standard & Poor’s said it plans to issue a new rating methodology for bond insurers that could cause a downgrade.

Recent revenue results for states have been strong and, in many cases, tax revenue has exceeded expectations, according to a report by Fitch Ratings and RBC Capital Markets.

Ambac Financial Group said it has named Diana Adams as president and chief executive officer and Stephen Ksenak as general counsel, replacing current president and CEO David Wallis and general counsel Kevin Doyle.

The insurance regulator for Ambac Assurance Corp. has named Roger Peterson special deputy commissioner for the company's segregated account containing its riskiest policies, pending court approval.

Ambac Financial Group said it has named Diana Adams as president and chief executive officer and Stephen Ksenak as general counsel, replacing current president and CEO David Wallis and general counsel Kevin Doyle.

The municipal market can expect $5.22 billion in new issuance this week, with issuers in Los Angeles and Utah leading the way with deals in excess of $600 million.

BMO Capital Markets hired Edward Fanter for its infrastructure group as the firm continues to seek growth in its senior management business in the public finance space.