Diversity and equality

The three-day National Association of Securities Professionals event featured industry experts and focused on accelerating inclusive development.

The event drew more than 100 people in its inaugural year, and organizers hope to see the same interest this year.

The Bond Markets and Racial Equity Project is an effort to center equity in municipal bond-funded investments.

Muni Pride has been rebranded from California Muni Pride to reflect its developing national focus.

From the battlefield to the boardroom, military veterans are making their mark in the financial services industry today. Hear their stories in this special podcast featuring Academy Securities, AmeriVet Securities, Bancroft Capital, Drexel Hamilton, Mischler Financial Group and Roberts & Ryan. Chip Barnett hosts. (45 minutes)

The Equity in Infrastructure Project names Everett Lott as vice chair

Terri Velasquez ends her term as GFOA president, reflecting on her year leading the group.

A majority of state DOTs have now adopted a commitment to equity in infrastructure contracting.

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli talks with Chip Barnett about his proposal for an amendment to the state constitution to limit backdoor borrowing by agencies and give voters a bigger say on bond issuance. (25 minutes)

Small businesses that are certified to work for either Chicago or Philadelphia's transit agency will now be able to work for the partner agency as well.

Key takeaways from the preliminary findings show that most jurisdictions that integrate racial equity in bond issuance focuse primarily on the use of the proceeds. 

Exclusive Arizent research found that more than 95% of employees think they have something to learn from people who are different from them. But only 66% think that diverse companies make better decisions. We explore the disconnect.

Baby bonds provide a long-term remedy by fostering upward mobility, while current anti-poverty measures do not, according to panelist Scott Winship.

Monetary policy has a more significant impact on spending of U.S. households headed by white women than on those led by white men or Black men and women, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco said.

The Spotlight Dealer Diversity Program, an initiative to highlight firms owned by women, veterans, people with disabilities and individuals of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, aims to promote them in Tradeweb’s platforms.

Democratic senators led by Bob Menendez urged the Federal Reserve to take a more active role in the selection process of the heads of its regional banks so that more diverse candidates would be considered.

In conversation with Patti Cook, CEO of Finance of America Companies

Moving beyond its goals for the ownership makeup of a deal team, Wisconsin pushed for diversity among the lead contacts working on a recent transaction.

Join Maggie Kimberl, President of the Bourbon Women Association for a peek behind the scenes of the bourbon industry. Learn more about the women that are rising in the male-dominated spirits sector, the proper bourbon tasting technique and a little bit of the history of bourbon.

The Connecticut treasurer also extolled "baby bonds" as a way to improve “racial equity,” narrow the state's gap between rich and poor, and promote economic growth.