Special Obligation Capital Improvement Bonds, Series 2022 | $1,900,000 | 08/10/2022

The Labor Department reported that <strong>initial jobless claims</strong> continued their climb last week. Jobless claims have been rising over the past several months, especially in the tech sector. While labor conditions are easing, they are still at a healthy level and large scale layoffs have not begun. Claims in regular state programs increased 6,000 to 260,000 for the week ending July 30th, after reporting 254,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average climbed to 254,750 from 248,750 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, increased 48,000 to 1.416 million for the week ending July 23rd, the highest level since early April.

The Labor Department reported that <strong>initial jobless claims</strong> edged lower last week, the first decline in four weeks, holding near the highest level since November. Still, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the labor market remains “extremely tight,” referencing a near-record number of job openings and historically low unemployment. Claims in regular state programs decreased 5,000 to 256,000 for the week ending July 23rd, after reporting 261,000 initial claims the prior week. The four-week moving average climbed to 249,250 from 243,000 the prior week. The total number of people continuing to receive regular ongoing state benefits, a report which is lagged one week, decreased 25,000 to 1.359 million for the week ending July 16th.

CURO Group Holdings Corp. and its subsidiary, Heights Finance, have entered into a new Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility. Stephens served as Exclusive Financial Advisor to CURO Group Holdings Corp. | $425 Million | 07/15/2022

CURO Group Holdings Corp. and its subsidiary, First Heritage Credit, have entered into a new Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility. Stephens served as Exclusive Financial Advisor to Curo Group Holdings Corp. | $225 Million | 07/13/2022

proALPHA Has Agreed To Acquire Empolis. Stephens served as buy-side advisor to proALPHA on its acquisition of Empolis.

First Heritage Credit Has Been Acquired By CURO Group Holdings Corp. Stephens served as exclusive sell-side advisor to First Heritage Credit. | $140 Million | 07/13/2022

Stephens, an independent financial services firm, today announced the retirement of David Knight, General Counsel and Executive Vice President, effective July 29, 2022. Mr. Knight joined Stephens in 1988 as the firm’s first general counsel.