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Contact: Jennifer A. Galloway, Chief Communications Officer
             (703) 797-6600
             jgalloway@msrb.org

MSRB SEEKS COMMENT ON DISCLOSURE OF PAYMENTS IN CONNECTION
WITH NEW ISSUES OF MUNICIPAL SECURITIES 
 Concept Release Requests Public Input on whether Dealers and Advisors Should Disclose on EMMA®
Any Financial Incentives Given or Received 

Alexandria, VA – The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) today published a concept release seeking comment on a possible proposal to require underwriters and municipal advisors to disclose whether they have made or received certain payments in connection with new issues of municipal securities. 

In the wake of Jefferson County, Alabama, and other situations involving undisclosed financial relationships, concerns have arisen regarding potential conflicts of interest that can impair the ability of municipal market professionals to act fairly and objectively. 

The MSRB is considering whether it should require disclosure through the MSRB’s Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA®) website of financial incentives received by underwriters or municipal advisors that may influence their recommendations, as well as payments made by underwriters or municipal advisors to incentivize third parties, including incentives for third parties to steer business toward the underwriter or advisor. The concept proposal is intended to elicit input from the public on potential benefits and burdens of requiring public disclosures of these financial incentives, as well as on potential alternatives, to assist the MSRB in determining whether to publish for further comment a specific rule proposal that would establish such a requirement. 

“The MSRB would appreciate feedback from market participants about whether and how we should take steps to address potential conflicts of interest stemming from undisclosed financial relationships among dealers, advisors and third parties,” said MSRB Executive Director Lynnette Kelly. “This comes at a time when the MSRB is focused on our expanded mandate under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to protect state and local government issuers.” 

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) was established by Congress in 1975 with the mission to protect investors, issuers and the public interest and to promote efficiency, competition and capital formation. MSRB is a private, self-regulatory organization governed by an independent board of directors with market knowledge and expertise. MSRB does not receive federal appropriations and is funded primarily through fees paid by regulated entities. MSRB is overseen by Congress and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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