Lending to Municipalities Webinar

This webinar has been developed for banks and bankers who are aware of opportunities to serve their community through credit services to municipalities and other local government or quasi-governmental organizations (i.e. volunteer fire departments, emergency health care providers, political subdivisions, etc.). Extending credit to municipal entities requires legal, tax, accounting and credit knowledge and analysis that can be quite different from conventional commercial lending decisions. There are many issues involved. Governmental entities provide financial information, often using unfamiliar fund accounting. Budgeting constraints have a direct impact on how credit requests are structured. Lease financing is frequently needed. Commercial customers may need financing for contracts with local government entities. Since 2008, municipal bankruptcies have risen, but overall the default risk on municipal bonds is low and interest paid by municipalities and related types of entities is often tax free to the bank.

Covered Topics:

• Governmental use of bond financing
• Impact of frequent long-term financing needs on bank credit evaluation and profitability
• Basics of fund accounting
• Effect of different forms of municipal government: mayor/council, council/manager, or commission
• Importance of relationship in municipal lending (all politics are local)
• Collateral and lien documentation
• Lending/credit opportunities (needs)
• Profitability and federal income tax-free interest income
• Benefits beyond profitability

Who Should Attend?

Loan officers, credit analysts, note and credit department personnel, internal auditors, loan review and compliance personnel or any banker involved in the lending function.

Continuing Education (CE) Credits

This webinar is recommended for 2.5 CE Credit Hours. Each attendee will receive a Certificate of Attendance for self-reporting of CE Credits.