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Municipal bonds were stronger on Tuesday as several new bond offerings hit the market, including New York City's $1.5 billion offering to retail investors. U.S. Treasury yields fell and equities saw losses, leading to a decrease in triple-A yields. However, municipal bonds underperformed compared to Treasuries. The separately managed account business is expected to focus on shorter tenors, while banks and insurance companies may seek higher relative value ratios for longer maturities. There is a lack of interest in the municipal long end, which may lead to underperformance in the coming weeks. [Extracted from the article]

This article covers a range of topics related to infrastructure and finance. It discusses the Brightline West rail project, which aims to connect Los Angeles and Las Vegas and is seeking federal funding. It also highlights local leaders advocating for funding in the next infrastructure bill, with a focus on supporting cities and smaller entities. The article briefly mentions the bankruptcy of wood-pellet manufacturer Enviva Inc. and concerns over potential rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. It also provides information on the performance of municipal bonds compared to U.S. Treasuries following the release of the consumer price index (CPI) report, as well as recent bond issuances and market trends. [Extracted from the article]

"Despite the underperformance of tax-exempt yields last week, we could see some more pressure on both spreads and ratios due to the heavy supply calendar," said Vikram Rai, head of municipal markets strategy at Wells Fargo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the current state of the municipal bond market. Municipal bonds remained relatively stable while U.S. Treasuries experienced a decline and stocks rallied. The article highlights the muni-to-Treasury ratios for various time periods and emphasizes the opportunities for value-oriented investors. It also mentions the upcoming issuance of several billion-dollar deals in September and provides information on major deals and economic indicators for the week. The article concludes by discussing the potential for high yield performance in the muni market. [Extracted from the article]

"Investor reception will remain the ultimate arbiter of muni performance and ... the current state of the tax-exempt space to be well-positioned, even though munis are likely to continue to underperform USTs," said Jeff Lipton, a research analyst and market strategist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underwriting spreads for all bonds have increased in the first half of 2024, reaching a level above $7 for the first time in 25 years. This rise in spreads can be attributed to factors such as the increase in the number of smaller deals coming to market, the loss of underwriting capacity from certain firms, and the reliance on separately managed accounts for distribution. The increase in underwriting spreads is seen as a helpful change in the current interest rate environment, providing more margin for error in bond inventorying and ownership. However, some experts believe that the $7.11 figure may be an outlier rather than a new trend. [Extracted from the article]

Efficiencies drive greater mortgage interest in careful use of artificial intelligence for marketing and research compared to others in financial services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficiencies drive greater mortgage interest in careful use of artificial intelligence for marketing and research compared to others in financial services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"We will remain cautious until CPI and the FOMC are in the rear-view mirror and as long as these don't catalyze a sell-off (since that would trigger outflows) or catalyze a sharp rally (as municipals lag rates during a sharp rally and ratios can increase optically)... " said Vikram Rai, head of municipal markets strategy at Wells Fargo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite losses, munis are "being set up nicely" as the summer season approaches, said Jeff Lipton, a research analyst and market strategist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"While we acknowledge that the market tone is weaker [Monday], we are generally constructive regarding valuations and expect this week's supply to be absorbed fairly well after last week's giveback of the richening witnessed over prior weeks," said Vikram Rai, head of municipal markets strategy at Wells Fargo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CPI print keeps the possibility of the Fed cutting rates at least once this year, potentially at least two rate cuts if the data continues to point to a trend of inflation falling further, said Jeff Lipton, a research analyst and market strategist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reverse-mortgage lender saw a quarterly loss but expects originations to increase 10% in the second quarter, as it attempts to address high-yield debt concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reverse-mortgage lender saw a quarterly loss but expects originations to increase 10% in the second quarter, as it attempts to address high-yield debt concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This decision will accelerate foreign buyers' reduced presence in the muni market, said Vikram Rai, head of municipal markets strategy at Wells Fargo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This week's heavy new-issue calendar of tax-exempt supply "could lead to a modest cheapening of ratios," said Vikram Rai, head of municipal markets strategy at Wells Fargo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MoneyLion and Pagaya, which were among the many payment companies that fought headwinds in the past two years, are using product and capital markets strategies to help them recover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on techniques used by wealth managers to design and conduct private client events. Among the techniques mentioned are thinking about the outcome of the event, setting specific goals for clients, prospective clients, and other professionals, and marketing intelligently by sending event invitations to existing clients or to individuals qualified for the service.

It was in his past role as an originator and branch manager that Louis Zitting, CEO of borrower analytics platform MonitorBase, realized how data analysis could propel mortgage marketing - and he also saw that few were trying to tap into its potential. While lenders often rely on third parties for consumer information, the mortgage companies most active in digital marketing today have also created their own data collection programs. [Extracted from the article]

COVID-19 should have forced you to reexamine your go-to market strategy and lean into technology to enhance — not replace — the human experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information about Gibson Insurance and its chief executive officer (CEO) Tim Leman. It notes that Leman's strategy is for the company to establish deeper relationships with clients through quality content in social media. It cites that Gibson Insurance maintains its social media presence on sites like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and the Gibson Blog. The article also describes the concept behind the Gibson employee stock ownership plan (GESOP).

An interview with Chelsey Duncan, director of marketing strategy and communications at NorthStar Financial Services Group, is presented. Topics discussed include decision process at CLS Investments for creating the digital marketing coordinator position; use of social media by advisers; benefits of an email automation system in understanding the needs of advisers and investors; and popularity of social networking platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Referrals are a traditional growth and marketing strategy for tax and accounting firms, but referrals today have a tech twist that firms should master [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on the marketing strategies implemented by SaveDaily Inc. in order to provide a low-cost mutual fund trading platform to banks, credit unions, employers and retail financial service providers. It discusses that the trading platform provided by SaveDaily allows moderate- to low-income investors to access more than 13,000 mutual funds.

The article profiles Holly Karasinski, an investment adviser representative with Principal Financial Group. Career achievements of Karasinski include being the chairwoman of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and founder of the association's Young Advisors Team. The scope of Karasinski's practice involves 401(k), personal planning, buy/sell strategies and succession planning. The personal and professional background of Karasinski is also provided.

The article focuses on the significance of predictive analytics for the enhancement of underwriting in the U.S.

Social media can be exceedingly frustrating for an accounting firm that's trying to stay current and utilize a digital marketing strategy to build its brand, develop new business, and fuel growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses how financial advisors transit from transaction based relationship to fees. One financial advisor says he started selling his services instead of his product. Another says that it is important for him to know who the right clients are. Another financial advisor adds that when he moves from vendor status to relationship status, client dynamics change in significant ways that in the end, he would never ask for business but the clients would ask him how to they can get started.

The article discusses issues related to marketing financial planning services to women. According to author Delia Passi, the key to marketing financial planning services to women is control because even if a woman does not make the money in the household, she is the one who spends it. It is stated that women make or influence over 80 percent of all purchases made in the U.S. Financial planners are advised to listen more than they talk and they must answer every question thoroughly.

February municipal bond activity compared to last month is brisk yet more finicky in the face of an ongoing supply shortage, according to Jeff Lipton, head of municipal credit and market strategy and municipal capital markets at Oppenheimer & Co. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even if your firm has an M&A plan in place as part of its growth strategy, you'll also want to achieve at least some of your growth through sales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While retailers and consumer-oriented commercial businesses embraced online marketing years ago, accounting practices have been slow to adopt digital marketing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lenders are using third-party sources, which provide insights ranging from consumers' credit profile to social media messaging, to supplement information they collect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lenders are using third-party sources, which provide insights ranging from consumers' credit profile to social media messaging, to supplement information they collect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with Joe Greene, chief marketing officer of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Co. is presented. He shares that he decided to join the company, since he admires it for being stable in the financial service marketplace. He mentions that the company has been leveraging a merge of attributes as it relates to their brand. He points out that they are currently working with Amelie, a local advertising agency, to help them with full-page print advertisements.

The article offers marketing suggestions to the benefits industry. Businesses are advised to identify time challenges and create a strategy for dealing effectively with them. One of their possible marketing strategies is attending networking events. The author concludes that marketing is important amid growing competition and changes in the industry.

The article discusses a survey on the link between data governance, master data management (MDM) and data quality. The study involved 257 individuals involved in varied industries including banking, finance and manufacturing around the world. The key driver for the implementation of data governance is supporting business intelligence and data warehousing initiatives. Results also showed that 39 percent of respondents had implemented data governance and 68 percent had no form of monetary measurement to determine the cost of poor data to their organization. Also enumerated are the benefits of data governance to organizations such as better quality and faster decision-making and improved market position.

The article explains the role of marketing in promoting the importance of financial guidance. It affirms the wide opportunity for financial advisors with the need to rebuild their revenue and 76 million baby boomers who have financial questions. Strategies in producing an effective marketing include putting simple things that fit the firm and the audience, getting advisors to develop a plan and follow it through, and making it systematic.

The article discusses the topic of competitive advantage and how a benefits adviser can differentiate its practice through the adoption of a guaranteed service. Several steps in developing a service guarantee are cited, which include creating one through the eyes of one's clients. It is suggested that frequent interaction with clients means contacting clients frequently, which contributes to client retention.

The article offers suggestions on how to market life insurance to consumers that belong to the baby boom generation and seniors. It proposes that life insurance sales personnel must be prepared to answer the questions to be posted by consumers. It advises that it is important that ethical selling must be needs-based. It also suggests that life insurance agencies must follow the regulations on customer service.

The article reports on the developments at New York Life Insurance Co. It states that the 164-year-old mutual insurer is planning a significant expansion in staff, as well as ambitious marketing strategy to broaden its business. It highlights on how retirement chief Chris Blunt took over the firm's divisions by combining its annuity, long-term care insurance and mutual fund distribution businesses.

The author suggests ways on how companies can cope with the difficult economic condition. He stresses that companies must increase its business marketing schemes and existing customer contacts. He encourages companies to prioritize the important and urgent plans. He notes that companies must highlight their competitive advantage such as the quality of services.

The article presents the thoughts shared by U.S. employee benefits industry experts on what they learned in 2008 and how they hope to proceed in the coming year. Respondents spoke about their achievements in 2008 and most are focused on generating revenue and marketing their products and programs in 2009. While most of them expressed concern on the economic downturn, they are remained focused on keeping clients and employees happy.

The article discusses the importance of communications with clients. It says that effective speaking is important for presentations which involve taking the audience on a trip from their problems to the solutions. It presents the five steps to the decision process which include getting the attention of the audience by asking direct questions and giving startling statistics.

An interview with Eric Capp, head of leveraged capital markets at Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) in London, England is presented. When asked about the plans of the RBS, he refers to the solutions and evaluation provided among clients for the corporate financial needs. He emphasizes the stability of the industry against the current shutdown in the local market. Further, he stresses the strategy used by the industry to maintain its status in the rapid change of market conditions.

The article discusses the increase in use of business intelligence (BI) solutions in business planning. According to the article, BI tools have become too valuable not to be used wherever they can deliver insight for day-to-day operational decisions which resulted in an increased demand for live or real time BI and reporting. Speed and integration of information across functions of departments is critical but for the marketing team to know whom to target with an effective sales pitch, they must have access to transactional data.

The coronavirus pandemic changed the game for everyone, but we'd be missing the beat if we didn't take a minute and look at the opportunity for growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the importance of newsletters to the marketing program of financial advisers. According to a survey, a newsletter is an important part of the advisers' business for various reasons such as client communication and retention, visibility strategy and credibility building. Some advisers claim that a newsletter provided various uses to them such as a source of new business, a form of public relations and a tool to facilitate client meetings. It provides tips on creating a newsletter. INSET: Time and Money.

Instead of marketing securities backed by commercial property mortgages, STORE Capital chooses the more esoteric option of securitizing the income from its triple-net leases – a similar strategy to REITS such Spirit Realty Capital and SCP Financial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on the drip marketing approach in creating a successful investment advisor-client relationship. Importance of developing an ideal client profile; Factors to consider in creating a database profile of prospected clients; Components of a drip-marketing plan; Materials needed in the marketing program.