Q&A Spotlight: Leigh Ann Biernat, CPA and SVP at Stephens… | Stephens

Who We Are

What We Do

We provide investment banking, research, sales and trading, asset and wealth management, public finance, insurance, private capital, and family office services.

About Us

We are a family-owned financial services firm that values client relationships, long-term stability, and supporting the communities where we live and work.

The Stephens Story

The idea of family defines our culture, because each of us knows that our reputation is on the line as if our own name was on the door.

Leadership

Our reputation as a leading independent financial services firm is built on the stability of our longstanding and highly experienced senior executives.

Impact Initiatives

We are committed to corporate philanthropy; economic and financial literacy advocacy; and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Our Brand Ambassadors

Stephens is proud to sponsor the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, and PGA TOUR Champions careers, as well as applaud the philanthropic endeavors, of our Brand Ambassadors.

Making Connections

We host many highly informative meetings each year with clients, industry decision makers, and thought leaders across the U.S. and in Europe.

Our Businesses

Capital Management

We provide fiduciary investment strategies to public-and private-sector institutional clients through asset allocation, consulting, and retirement services.

Fixed Income Sales & Trading

Decades of proven performance and experience in providing tailored fixed income trading and underwriting services to major municipal and corporate issuers.

Institutional Equities and Research

Proven industry-leading research, global market insights, and client-focused execution.

Insurance

Customized risk management, property & casualty, executive strategies and employee benefits solutions that protect our clients over the long term.

Investment Banking

We assist companies with accessing capital through innovative advisory and execution services that help firms achieve their strategic goals.

Private Capital

We have been a trusted and reliable source of capital for private companies for over 70 years.

Private Wealth Management

Our experienced Private Client Group professionals develop customized investment strategies to help clients achieve their financial goals.

Public Finance

We are a trusted municipal advisor with proven expertise in public financings. We also work with clients in negotiated and competitive municipal underwritings.

Stephens Spotlights

Q&A Spotlight: Leigh Ann Biernat, CPA and Senior Vice President at Stephens Public Finance

Aug 26, 2021

Leigh Ann Biernat, CPA and Senior Vice President at Stephens Public Finance, was the lead banker on an $85.81 million issuance of public safety charges revenue bonds for the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA). Stephens served as principal underwriter driving the complex transaction, which was executed in December and whose bond payments commenced in June.

Biernat helped create value for the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) on financing enhancements to the Arkansas Wireless Information Network (AWIN), and set up a flow of funds that should benefit future borrowings. In this Q&A, she explains what it took to make the deal happen.

1. What was the client’s goal, from both a public financing and telecommunications perspective?

Part of ADFA’s mission is to provide financing for business and economic development projects, as well as capital improvements for state agencies. ADFA’s goal was to provide ADEM access to a low cost of funds for projects, efficiently and effectively. ADEM’s goal was to maximize receipt of public safety charges to upgrade, expand, operate and maintain AWIN, with the option for future financings. AWIN connects over 30,000 users and 1,000 state agencies, so future technology upgrades are likely.

2. Did working on this deal involve conducting significant research for these public
entities?

Yes. Bond professionals are not always consulted when new legislation is enacted that will
ultimately be used for bond financing. So we began with studying legislation affecting the use of bond financing, then we compiled historical information on cellular and wireless charges prior to the new legislation to see how they changed as a result. Multiple parties benefit from public safety charges, both monthly and quarterly, so understanding the flow of funds based on the new law also was very important.

3. As lead banker on this deal, how did you work with different stakeholders to solve their needs?

During the structuring process, bondholder protections were added, enhancing the credit from
an investor perspective. A flow of funds waterfall was designed to provide security for the bonds and quarterly disbursements to ADEM. Although ADFA bonds reliant on lease appropriation have enjoyed an AA- bond rating for numerous state agencies, state agencies facilities bonds secured by a specific revenue stream have not. I’m proud of the rating of this issue and that the bonds were well received in the marketplace.

Download PDF

  1. This article was prepared for informative purposes only and is not an offer to buy or sell any securities. It does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets or developments referred to in the article or to include all information needed to evaluate any transaction. Information contained in the article was derived from sources considered reliable, but has not been independently confirmed or verified. The opinions expressed are the personal opinions of the author. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or entity, and they are subject to change without notice.