Municipal Bond News & Insight

• More Cities Earn S&P 'AAA' Credit Rating

Since early last year, the number of AAA-rated localities has more than doubled, according to a newly released Standard & Poors report. Over the last 1 years, despite the withering economic downturn, changes in rating criteria combined with a number of first-time rated gilt edge communities served to produce an increase of 86 communities now rated in the top AAA category.

• History May Trump Fear Over Decline in Property Values

Many investors have expressed concern about the impact of declining property values across the country and the effect on the credit quality of tax-backed municipal bonds.

• Why Now is the Time to Review Your Munis

Over a year has passed since the arrival of the tsunami that rocked the financial markets to their foundation and ushered in the worst recession since the 1930s.

• Watching Your Muni Bonds

With thousands of municipal bonds in the market, none are more important than yours.

• Key Change by S&P Boosts Smaller Issuers

Standard & Poors overturned years of conventional wisdom and now says that sound management, a good financial position and other factors are more important than size in determining a municipalitys credit profile.