Municipal advisors

In this third of a three-part 2026 municipal bond outlook series, Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton explains how another year of heavy supply, surging ETF and SMA assets, climate and cyber risk, and growing use of bond insurance will drive muni market structure and strategy for both sell-side and buy-side stakeholders.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton, in the second installment of his three-part 2026 outlook series, maps out quality-centric portfolio shifts, barbell and long-end strategies, and sector tilts across hospitals, higher education and housing as record supply and net inflows drive the muni market.

In the first of his three-part 2026 municipal outlook series, Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton forecasts for sub-5% returns, continued demand, possibly more curve steepening as the Fed eases slowly, the economy skirts recession, and AI, tariffs and midterm politics potentially reshaping risks across public finance sectors.

Analyst and market strategist Jeff Lipton joins the team to deliver clarity and thoughtful guidance to a market witnessing evolving complexities — connecting policy moves, credit shifts and investment behavior to help our readers navigate what comes next.

"BDA supports the proposal and we encourage the commission to approve it," its letter said.

Executing a successful bond issuance becomes simpler by combining long range planning, shorter-term timing and marshaling political support.

"It is a big problem across the board with all types of deal participants perhaps venturing into unregistered MA activity," said Susan Gaffney.

Ketner is Baird's second hire in the higher education and nonprofit sectors in the last 30 days.

The top suite of firms oversaw deals amounting to more than $139 billion par value across 58% of the market.

"If you are seeking the services of a municipal advisor, it would be helpful to use the term municipal advisor in your RFP/Qs," said Sanchez, director of the SEC's Office of Municipal Securities.

New guidelines require local governments to receive the state's comptroller's approval before issuing debt with variable interest rates, put options, or interest rate reset options.

The muni market's self-regulatory organization has undergone major changes in its five decades, and challenges are ahead.

The SEC charged two entities with violating federal securities laws by advising clients on municipal bonds without properly registering as municipal advisors.

Pops, a managing director at cfX, a municipal advisory firm serving housing finance agencies, brought passion and institutional knowledge to the sector.

Dan Aschenbach and Namsoo Lee created Municipal Financial Solutions Associates to help utilities manage the changing economic and regulatory landscape.

Baker Tilly is preparing a $7 billion merger with Moss Adams, another advisory firm. The deal will close in early June.

Belvia Gray, Public Finance Leader at Baker Tilly, talks about the firm's efforts and focus on bringing the industry together on cyber security threats, succession planning and more.

Women in Public Finance has announced the 2025 members of its board of directors and plans to expand its offerings as it nears its 30th anniversary.

MSRB believes "it's an appropriate time" to launch a holistic review of its municipal advisor rules, CEO Mark Kim said.

Fieldman, Rolapp & Co. has acquired Orem, Utah-based municipal advisor G.L. Hicks, a healthcare finance specialist.