Perspectives

Market Trends

Public Finance | 2023 Mid-Year Review

Aug 23, 2023

Welcome to the Stephens Public Finance 2023 Mid-Year Review. I am thrilled to share with you this summary of our insights and activities from the first half of 2023. Our bankers have captured their best ideas and distilled them into actionable takeaways for the municipal market.

Market Trends

2023 Outlook – 2022 Year In Review | Public Finance

Jan 11, 2023

Public Finance is unlike any other area of banking and financial services in that the need for clean water, safe schools, and efficient civic infrastructure doesn’t abate when interest rates rise or a recession hits. No matter how challenging the environment, we never take a break from working with our clients to accomplish their goals.

Market Trends

For Municipal Project Planners, How Best To Build for Those 100-Year Storms?

Oct 18, 2022

Hurricane Ian’s path of destruction—from Cuba to Florida and then on to South Carolina—wiped out $67 billion-worth of real estate and infrastructure. As residents of the hardest-hit areas assess the damage and clear away debris, what’s undoubtedly on the minds of many of them is how to rebuild stronger and better.

Stephens Spotlights

Q&A | Dennis Hunt, EVP and Head of Public Finance

Apr 18, 2022

Dennis Hunt, Executive Vice President and Head of Public Finance at Stephens, shares his perspective on how our bankers work with local and state-level entities to achieve their funding goals.

Stephens Spotlights

At Stephens Public Finance, Comprehensive Service Means Constant Guidance

Feb 22, 2022

From our base in Arkansas, Stephens has expanded throughout the South and Southeast over the past several years. Our practice includes negotiated and competitive underwritings, as well as municipal advisory work. The firm’s securities distribution capability with individual and institutional investors is a proven strength. As a result of our capital position, we are able to underwrite bonds quickly and efficiently for clients.

Stephens Spotlights

Market Trends

Looking Back and Moving Forward in Public Finance

Nov 17, 2021

Dennis Hunt, Head of Stephens Public Finance, reflects on 2021 and reports what’s on the horizon for 2022

Capital Thinking

Evaluating a Municipal Bond Refunding for Economic Savings

Aug 26, 2021

With interest rates at historic lows, many Arkansas school districts have refinanced or “refunded” their outstanding municipal bonds to reduce their interest costs. In fact, Arkansas school districts represented by Stephens saved more than $41 million during 2020 by refunding their outstanding bonds.

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.

Capital Thinking

A National Perspective on Funding K-12 Education Capital Projects

Apr 21, 2021

From pandemic-induced remote learning to historic winter storms, K-12 education decision makers in Arkansas, Texas and Tennessee have faced an enormous amount of critical challenges over the past 12 months. And despite all of these transformative changes, one thing remains constant: that brick-and-mortar educational institutions are still essential knowledge centers to school districts across the U.S.

Stephens Spotlights

Q&A: Jason Holsclaw, Stephens Public Finance

Aug 26, 2019

An interview with Jason Holsclaw, Senior Vice President of Stephens Public Finance