Justin Underwood, Director of Federal Policy & Fixed Income Research at the Bond Dealers of America and Director of the Municipal Bonds for America coalition, is leaving his posts to become Senior Director of Banking Policy, Prudential Regulation & Financial Markets at American Bankers Association.
“I’m eager to join such an influential and well-respected organization like ABA,” Underwood said. “I’m very thankful for the support from the BDA Board of Directors and Mike Nicholas to be set up for success during my tenure at the BDA. I look forward to maintaining and developing new relationships as this new and exciting opportunity unfolds.”
“We’re excited to have Justin Underwood join ABA as a senior director of banking policy.” said Jeff Sigmund, senior vice president, public relations at the American Bankers Association. “He brings great experience to the job, and we look forward to having him begin his work in September on regulatory issues relating to the core business of banking.”
Underwood started his tenure in 2015 at the BDA and was key in running and organizing the MBFA and led the association’s events and advocacy on Capitol Hill and beyond.
"Justin has been instrumental at the BDA with our municipal advocacy and helping build it out," Mike Nicholas, CEO of the BDA. "Justin helped build the MBFA and made the coalition excel. It is a hard job, since it is a coalition; not a trade association. He's done an incredible job of rallying state and local group leaders and advocating for and defending municipal bonds. Under Justin's and Mayor Steve Benjamin [Columbia South Carolina's mayor] the MBFA is more vibrant and active than ever and Justin really spearheaded that effort."
“I’m excited for his next opportunity and proud of his professional growth over the past four years,” Nicholas added.
Nicholas said for now the BDA and MBFA will work with current employees and outside firms after Underwood departs.
Others in the industry said Underwood will be missed in the municipal advocacy space.
“Through the BDA, Justin’s contribution to the Municipal Bonds for America made it the success that it is,” Steve Winterstein, municipal bond client sales and product manager at MarketAxcess, said. “The MBFA coalition will miss his guidance — he is a true leader. As former chair of the Technical Advisory Committee at the MBFA, I count it as a privilege and honor to have worked side-by-side with him in that effort.”
Prior to joining the BDA, Justin was a Trading Analysis Professional at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Prior to FINRA, he was an Associate and inducted into the first class of City Fellows at Morgan Stanley in London. Justin also served on Capitol Hill in the offices of Sen. Sam Brownback (KS), the Joint Economic Committee, and the Financial Services Committee. He holds a Master’s degree in Government from the Johns Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and an MBA from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.
