Stephens Public Finance

Stephens Inc., a privately held investment bank, has a prominent public finance division that plays a significant role in the municipal bond market. Stephens Public Finance provides a comprehensive suite of services to state and local governments, agencies, and other public entities across the United States.

Core Services:

• Underwriting: Stephens acts as an underwriter for municipal bond issues, helping clients raise capital by purchasing and reselling bonds to investors. They have experience underwriting a diverse range of bond types, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and tax increment financing bonds.
• Financial Advisory: Stephens offers financial advisory services to clients, assisting them in structuring debt financings, analyzing financial feasibility, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. They provide objective advice and guidance to help clients make informed decisions.
• Private Placements: For clients seeking customized financing solutions, Stephens facilitates private placements of municipal securities directly to institutional investors. This can be a more efficient alternative to traditional public offerings in certain situations.
• Remarketing: Stephens also provides remarketing services for variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), ensuring the continued liquidity and marketability of these bonds.
• Derivatives: Stephens can assist clients with structuring and executing derivative transactions, such as interest rate swaps, to manage interest rate risk.

Industry Focus:

Stephens Public Finance serves a wide array of sectors within the public finance market, including:

• Education: Financing for K-12 schools, universities, and community colleges.
• Healthcare: Funding for hospitals, healthcare systems, and other medical facilities.
• Infrastructure: Financing for roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, and other essential infrastructure projects.
• Utilities: Funding for public power systems, water and wastewater utilities, and other essential service providers.
• General Government: Financing for state and local government operations, including capital improvements and debt refinancing.

Geographic Reach:

While headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Stephens Public Finance has a national presence, serving clients across the United States. They have a strong regional focus in the South and Southwest but actively participate in financings nationwide.

Reputation:

Stephens Public Finance is recognized as a leading player in the municipal bond market. They have a long track record of successfully executing complex financings and providing valuable advisory services to their clients. Their strong relationships with institutional investors and their deep understanding of the municipal market contribute to their success.

Key Considerations:

As a privately held firm, Stephens may have a different approach compared to publicly traded investment banks. Understanding their specific client relationships and market focus is crucial when evaluating their services. Their commitment to long-term client partnerships and their in-depth knowledge of regional markets are often cited as key advantages.