Rankings

The top municipal bond counsel saw $265.58 billion of business in the first three quarters of 2019, up from $237.49 billion a year earlier. Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP once again found itself on top with Hawkins Delafield and Wood gaining some ground.

The two active municipal bond insurers insured $5 billion more in 2019 than they did in 2018 thanks to a surge of issuance in the fourth quarter. Assured Guaranty and Build America Mutual combined for $23.92 billion of insured volume spanning 1,724 transactions and 5.67% penetration rate in 2019. That is up from $18.92 billion in 1,249 deals and 5.58% insured rate in 2018.

The top three spots in the rankings did not change year-over-year but there were plenty of place changes in the rest of the top 10

The top municipal issuers easily surpassed their issuance totals from 2018 year, with $400.51 billion in 10,582 transactions in 2019 compared to $320.35 billion in 8,549 deals the year before. California regained control of the throne after coming in third in 2018.

The top muni underwriters accounted for $406.51 billion in 10,582 transactions in 2019 compared to $320.35 billion in 8,549 deals in 2018. There was only one change in the top five year-over-year but spots six through 10 saw three changes. Barclays and Stifel both had big improvements in the rankings, while Raymond James dropped the most.

The top municipal bond counsel saw $265.58 billion of business in the first three quarters of 2019, more than the $237.49 billion the firms did in the same period last year.

The two active municipal bond insurers benefited from the issuance boom in the third quarter, as the industry penetration rate rose slightly despite the fact that interest rates are going back down.

Following suit with the issuers and underwriters, top muni financial advisors were outpacing business done to this point last year with $224.84 billion, up from $206.93 billion. The first three spots in the rankings remained the same for the big players, as the rest of the field saw a bevy of changes.

Through three quarters municipal bond issuers are coming to market more frequently than they did during the same period of 2018, as low rates and yields are too good to pass up and demand for muni bonds is closing in on an all-time high.

Municipal underwriters saw increased business, as demand for muni bonds jumped through the roof. Top muni underwriters accounted for $267.51 billion in 7,310 deals, up from $239.33 billion in 6,406 transactions in the first nine months of 2018.