The Future of AI in Public Funds Investing: Enhancing, Not Replacing, Human Expertise
Artificial intelligence (AI), or machine learning, is rapidly transforming industries across the globe — and public sector finance is no exception. For counties, cities, municipalities, and other public entities, AI presents a powerful opportunity to enhance the management of public funds, streamline treasury operations, and improve investment outcomes. As stewards of taxpayer dollars, public finance … Continued
The Privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Recent news about potential privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – two cornerstone institutions in the U.S. housing finance system – have sparked interest across markets. As fixed-income investors, you may be wondering what this could mean for your portfolios and the broader market. Below, we provide a brief overview and initial thoughts, with … Continued
Safeguarding the Safety of Public Funds: Safekeeping vs. Custody
Too many times the terms “custody” and “safekeeping” are used interchangeably, these services differ significantly. Local government investors should understand these distinctions and select the service level that best meets their needs. As we know, the priority for government investment management is the safety of public funds. A critical safeguard against fraud is the separation … Continued
Learning the Fed: Tips for Investing in a Falling Rate Market
On September 18th, 2024, the Federal Reserve lowered rates by 50 basis points. This was a long-anticipated move the markets had desperately sought. This has a material impact on prudent positioning of liquidity investments given further rate cuts may also ensue. We will share insightful tips on how to most optimally invest in a falling … Continued
Positioning for Value: Capturing Yield as Rates Begin to Fall
For the past few years, the Federal Reserve has steadily raised interest rates to combat post-pandemic inflation, a process that has taken longer and has required higher rates than initially anticipated. This in part has led to an inverted yield curve, where shorter-term or cash investments have a higher yield than longer-term treasuries. However, we … Continued