Title of Sessions

Bonds & Dating: What Do They Have in Common?

Borrowing money isn’t just a just a one-night stand — it’s a long-term relationship. It takes the right mix of chemistry, commitment, and communication to make it work. In this session we will explore the similarities between the worlds of romance and muni bonds, focusing on the four pillars of public debt: Structure, Credit, Pricing, and Disclosure: • Who’s picking up the tab (a.k.a. how to structure your debt)? • How do you put your best foot forward to attract investors (that’s your credit profile)? • What’s the market really looking for—and how do you “seal the deal” on pricing? • And once the deal is done, how do you keep the relationship healthy (hello, continuing disclosure!)? We will wrap things up with a market update, including how recent rate swings are impacting the dating scene… we mean, the debt markets. Whether you're a seasoned pro or still swiping right on your first bond deal, this session will help you build stronger, longer-lasting relationships with the bond market.

Spea kers:

Dmitry Semenov, Nicki Tallman, and Rick Brandis

Speaker Bio:

Dmitry Semenov is the principal of Ridgeline Municipal Strategies, a municipal advisory and financial consulting firm assisting California cities, counties, and special districts with financial planning and financing for infrastructure and facilities, as well as with CalPERS pension cost optimization. Nicki Tallman is a Managing Director at Oppenheimer and Co-Manager of the California Public Finance Group. She has over 30 years of experience in public finance, and serves cities, special districts, school districts and counties. Rick Brandis is a Managing Director and Co-Manager of the California Public Finance Group of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. His expertise lies in structuring and pricing municipal debt.

Registration Deadline:

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Registration Fee:

Members $20, Non-Members $25

This meeting qualifies for 1 hour of Non-Technical CPE