Rankings

The top 10 saw three firms that were not in it last year and only one firm remained in the same position compared to the previous year's first six months.

Financial advisors in the municipal bond market accounted for $159.85 billion so far in 2020, more than the $138.61 billion in the first six months of 2019. There was only one change in the top-five year-over-year.

Municipal bond counsels accumulated $87.02 billion, up from the $75.14 billion in the first three months of 2019. The top spot remained the same but the rest of the top 10 saw a plethora of changes.

The two active municipal bond insurers insured $4.83 billion in the first quarter of 2020, an uptick from the $3.62 billion of wrapped deals done in the first three months of 2019. The year-over-year increase in the sector is noteworthy given that the primary market was shuttered for weeks in March due to the coronroavirus pandemic.

Financial advisors in the municipal bond market accumulated $74.48 billion, up from the $65.03 billion in the first three months of 2019. The top four places remained the same but the rest of the top 10 all saw big changes.

Despite a muted month of March due to the COVID-19 pandemic which included two weeks of no negotiated deals, muni bond issuers still sold more long-term debt than they did during the first three months of 2019. Issuers accounted for a total of $84.87 billion of bonds throughout 2,119 transactions, compared to $75.84 billion in 1,809 deals in first quarter of 2019. The top 10 features five newcomers from a year ago, including the top spot.

Underwriters of municipal bonds did the majority of business during the first two months of the year, before COVID-19 swept the country with sickness and severe spreading. The top underwriters accounted for $87.84 billion of bonds throughout 2,119 transactions, compared to $75.84 billion in 1,809 deals in first quarter of 2019.

Refundings and taxable deals were also up substantially, driving the region to $75 billion of municipal bond volume, up 32.6% from 2018.

The top municipal bond counsel saw $265.58 billion of business in the first three quarters of 2019, up from $237.49 billion a year earlier. Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP once again found itself on top with Hawkins Delafield and Wood gaining some ground.

The two active municipal bond insurers insured $5 billion more in 2019 than they did in 2018 thanks to a surge of issuance in the fourth quarter. Assured Guaranty and Build America Mutual combined for $23.92 billion of insured volume spanning 1,724 transactions and 5.67% penetration rate in 2019. That is up from $18.92 billion in 1,249 deals and 5.58% insured rate in 2018.