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IFAQS (INFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) |
IN THIS ISSUE: Here Comes The Sun...(Or It's Not Easy Being Green) Schools "Pay No Interest" Lottery IFAQs (Infequently Asked Questions)
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| BY TOM JOHNSEN, PRINCIPAL | ||||||||
Q. What is the current status of Build
America Bonds?” As of late August, California municipalities have issued approximately 25 BABs with about $7.3 billion in proceeds. Others are in process and will come to the market in the near future. The median BAB issuance in California is about $56 million. The State of California has been the largest issuer in the state and it has been joined by various cities, water districts and community college districts. In Arizona six BABs have been issued and three in Nevada. California and Texas issuers alone have accounted for about half of all BABs issued. Listings of BAB issues may be found at www.bondbuyer. com and www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg221. htm. Buyers of BABs have primarily been institutional investors such as insurance companies and U.S. and foreign pension funds. It is estimated that only around 5% of BABs have been sold to retail investors. Institutions have bought BABs because of the ability to earn taxable interest rates while enjoying the security of local and state government backing. Since the first issue in mid April, BAB
structure has evolved from one more
consistent with the taxable corporate
bond market to a more hybrid structurewith characteristics more in keeping with those of the tax-exempt bond market. Buyers of BABs have also broadened as a group and diversified. |
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