MSRB

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board issued a report saying its oversight of the muni market without enforcement power is among the advantages it offers as a self-regulator.

Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board members meeting here next Wednesday and Thursday will discuss the market comments it received on whether to write new rules or guidance on primary market practices.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s net assets rose about $5.1 million to $74.4M in fiscal 2017, according to audited financial statements, adding to a healthy reserve the MSRB said it needs to ensure uninterrupted operations.

Best execution, suitability, and other areas of concern for the municipal as well as corporate markets are among FINRA regulatory and exam priorities for 2018.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board is looking for five people knowledgeable about the muni market to sit on its board starting Oct. 1.

The Board said "filtering" bids and offers can hurt retail investors, liquidity, and market efficiency.

The SEC's Fixed Income Market Structure Advisory Committee has liquidity on the agenda for its first open meeting, scheduled for Jan. 11.

Regulators will focus on helping dealers and municipal advisors comply with recently adopted rules and will also monitor how tax reform legislation impacts muni market practices.

The SEC has approved a change to increase the level of information the MSRB collects about certain muni fund securities.

Mehran Tazhibi agreed to pay a $10,000 fine and be suspended for two months.

The SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations found municipal advisors had trouble meeting registration, books and records and supervisory requirements.

MSRB data shows the extent to which alternative trading systems are used in the muni market.

Dealers are pleased that the MSRB has expanded the exemption to its CUSIP proposal.

Muni market participants may not be ready in time to implement a pending markup disclosure rule on which regulators place huge importance.

A SIFMA official testified about muni regulatory concerns of dealers.

The MSRB compliance group is made up of several well-known muni vets.

VRDO rate resets and filings of continuing disclosure documents were also down quarter-over-quarter.

The MSRB backed off an effort to write a new rule on minimum denominations and will modify proposals on CUSIP numbers and muni fund securities.

San Diego, having established the gold standard for disclosure on its website, finds the market now uses EMMA as the primary source of information.

The MSRB has several agenda items queued up for its Oct. 25-26 meeting.