2026 Agenda
Join our panel of industry leaders as they discuss expectations for the public finance space. With a lower interest rate environment but in a more challenging macroeconomic backdrop, will issuance remain robust? How much credit pressure does the federal pullback put on issuers? What priorities should the public finance industry focus on in 2026 and beyond?
As Congress will this year be faced with the renewal of the surface transportation bill and finding ways to fill the highway trust fund, how is the industry preparing for another potentially challenging outlook for transportation projects going forward? What types of federal programs are at the industry’s disposal? Are there any risks of a funding pullback? How is the landscape for transit faring?
The concentration of the retail investor has grown in a market that often struggles with liquidity. How are the various demand components of the market shifting? How will the growth of SMAs and ETFs affect the public finance industry in 2026? How do crossover buyers fit in 2026? What does credit look like in 2026? What do investors want and how is the sell-side adapting to provide for it?
How do Northeast state and local government leaders see 2026 playing out for their states and localities? What are the biggest challenges and opportunities ahead for the public finance industry in their eyes? How can issuers navigate the ever-shifting winds out of Washington?
With federal funding cuts, immigration policy shifts and legal threats from Washington compounding with enrollment dropping, how is the higher education sector navigating these challenges while remaining competitive globally? How are the smaller schools faring, particularly in the Northeast?
As cyber threats mount across the public finance industry, our panel of experts will discuss the severity of what the industry faces, what kinds of best practices for guarding against them exist – or should exist – and why all players in the industry need to coalesce around common goals.
From what to disclose and how to insure against threats, all parties – issuers, bankers, advisors, investors and trustees – need to better prepare for the expected onslaught of threats.
Water challenges abound across the country. From droughts to flooding, to lead pipe removal and quality controls, issuers are finding ways to fund water infrastructure projects, including SRFs and other tools.
As the municipal market navigates the world of technology and AI, panelists explore what tech and AI solutions are possible/being developed for issuers, the buy- and sell-sides, and other market participants. Perspective on what AI is — and is not — and how it is expected to impact the muni market? How does technology aid in pricing and disclosure? How can technology help the industry do more with less?
After two years of record issuance — and more than two years of rising inflation — how are issuers meeting the growing needs for upgrades of existing infrastructure along with investments in new projects? Are there sectors that would benefit the most from investing in resilient infrastructure? Should investors price in the effects of climate and severe-weather event related risks? Is there enough demand for the debt that will likely be needed to support the needed infrastructure?
As the industry grapples with the retirements and retrenchment, how does it entice talented younger individuals to enter the space? Where does the public finance industry fit into the tech evolution? How do we encourage public service employment in a time of political upheaval? How can public finance stay competitive in the financial services industry at large?