Overview of a Bond Issuance

Governmental entities have been using debt for over 200 years to fund public infrastructure such as government buildings, water distribution systems, schools, police stations, and many other projects that require significant capital investment.  

Debt issuance is a significant undertaking for governments, whether an entity frequently or infrequently issues debt.  This includes engaging in a great deal of work prior to the transaction and ongoing for the lifetime of the bond.  Issuers must manage the financing, make decisions about the structure and type of debt being issued, understand market conditions and the timing of the issuance, select and manage a number of external professionals during this process, and execute all post issuance debt management requirements.  This course will provide an overview of the debt issuance process and explain the obligations finance officers must address when taking on a bond issuance, with a focus on GFOA’s best practices as guidance. 

Who Will Benefit: CFO/Finance Director, Controller, Budget Manager, Treasurer, Debt Manager

• Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to: 
• Learn about GFOA’s Debt Management Best Practices and Debt Issuance Checklist 
• Be aware of the internal and external professionals involved in a debt issuance 
• Understand how to evaluate and select the method of sale 
• Know the factors in determining timing, structure and type of bonds to issue 
• Understand the process of obtaining a credit rating 
• Identify post issuance responsibilities, including those related to federal tax and securities laws