MSRB seeks volunteers for technology, compliance groups

BY SourceMedia | MUNICIPAL | 11/12/24 11:31 AM EST By Connor Hussey

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board is seeking volunteers for a new Technology Advisory Group as well as for its now re-established Compliance Advisory Group for FY 2025.

The board is asking those with interest in being part of either group to apply by email with their resume and a statement of interest in serving on the specific advisory group to Amy Ramos by Dec. 9, 2024.

"As technology evolves and continues to intersect with regulation and the financial markets, the Board has established an additional advisory group to focus on related matters," the MSRB said. "TAG will provide input on technology innovation and assess market trends to identify opportunities and challenges as it pertains to the municipal securities market."

The group will discuss topics such as technology innovation in the muni market, the impact of new market products, platforms and entrants on regulation, market fairness and investor and issuer protection. The group will also discuss the MSRB's technology investment priorities and strategies, advances in artificial intelligence and related risks, among others.

The TAG is specifically seeking "individuals overseeing technology strategies, budgets and operations, who have experience with technology infrastructure or with advancing technology innovation in financial markets and market participants whose workflows significantly rely on evolving market platforms," the MSRB said.

The Compliance Advisory Group will help MSRB staff to better understand how market participants comply with MSRB rules and will identify where dealers and municipal advisors could benefit from further resources and tools to support compliance.

"The MSRB's understanding of compliance areas benefits from the insight and perspective of those market participants knowledgeable about the unique and often complex nature of the municipal securities market," the MSRB said. "We are seeking associated persons serving in trading and operations functional roles at dealers and municipal advisor practitioners to serve on CAG."

The CAG last convened with 15 market professionals in FY 2023 and took a break during FY 2024.

The board will make decisions on candidates based on the diversity of applications, the type of firm, the size and geographical dispersion and individual knowledge and experience. Once selected, the groups will meet periodically throughout the year via video conference call.

Those selected will be notified by the end of the year.

In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.

Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

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