Buy side

Chicago's investors will be on the hunt for answers to how the city intends to use federal dollars, including whether it's going to scrap scoop-and-toss plans and meet rising pension contributions.

A trio of municipal bond analysts say now is the time for investors to take advantage of the strength and resilience of the asset class.

Joe Geraci, who spent 24 years at Citi, most recently as co-head of the Global Spread Products division, will join investment advisor Old Orchard Capital.

As issuance rose in 2020, so did municipal bond insurance usage, with $34.167 billion wrapped, or 7.5% insured total issuance from almost 5.7% in 2019.

Bel Air Investment Advisors is Hightower's 14th and largest acquisition in a year, with $8 billion of assets under management including $2.8 billion of municipals.

Jennifer Johnston will replace Tom Walsh, who is retiring on Dec. 1.

Eaton Vance operates dozens of municipal bond mutual funds under the Eaton Vance, Parametric and Calvert brands.

The firm hired seven new senior-level bankers in its fixed income division.

The housing and transportation sectors had the biggest declines in municipal bond volume.

It's still insufficient for New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority and other struggling issuers, according to Reinvent Albany.

Preston Hollow says another court ruling proves some of its defamation claims. Nuveen counters that accusations fail to rise to defamation because many are opinion or true.

Primary market deals generated strong demand, and municipals were little changed in secondary trading.

New York's DASNY is expected to make a $1 billion private placement Friday.

The site will provide a single location for investors to access its financial and operating data.

The coronavirus has shaken the foundation of the municipal market and participants are looking cautiously to the Fed while attempting to adjust to the sustained volatility.

The pending deal with a Bank of America-led syndicate would enable the commonwealth to draw down needed finds while tax revenues are deferred.

Barber and Amoroso will work together during a temporary transition phase.

Nuveen, Friedlander, BofA offer some recommendations on COVID-19 credit and sector impact.

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act continues to influence the composition of the municipal bond market.

Many businesses have implemented policies to limit non-essential travel, which is likely to have impacted the biennial presentation to municipal bond investors.