Debt Management Best Practices

This course, focused on GFOA’s Best Practices in Debt Management, will help participants better understand how to develop appropriate policies and procedures for issuing debt and overall debt management. In addition to the best practices, the course will feature practical examples, details on recent federal rulemaking, including how it impacts governments, and interactive discussion on the following topics and best practices:

• The Capital Improvement Plan                                                                      
• Debt Policy                                                                                         
• Selecting and Managing Your Financing Team         
• Method of Sale:  Competitive/Negotiated/Direct Placement
• Types of Debt Instruments     
• Understanding Credit Ratings
• Executing a Bond Sale
• Investor Relations
• Fees Paid in a Bond Sale
• Sources of Market Information
• Securities Law Overview
• Tax Law Overview
• Issuer Disclosure Standards
• Post Issuance Compliance

Peer Discussions:

• Developing and Implementing a Capital Improvement Plan
• Developing and Implementing a Debt Policy
• Assembling A Finance Team
• Debt Instruments
• Credit Ratings
• Bond Sale Execution
• Disclosure Matters
• Federal Tax Compliance
• Refundings

Who Will Benefit: Government employees involved in issuing or managing debt.

• Identify key challenges facing government in the area of debt management
• Learn how to develop appropriate policies and procedures based on the best practices
• Review current market conditions, trends, and practices
• Learn how to evaluate if issuing debt is the right option for your local government
• Review the relationship between debt financing and the organization’s capital improvement plan
• Learn the different types of debt and financing instruments available for local governments
• Gain an understanding of the bond issuer’s responsibilities before, during, and after bonds are sold, including managing relationships with external resources and disclosure requirements
• Evaluate the different types of fees charged in a bond transaction
• Learn how to comply with continuing disclosure and tax requirements