MMA hires a new analyst as firm expands

Municipal Market Analytics has hired Marvis Gutierrez as a municipal analyst.

Gutierrez is one of multiple anticipated hires, according to a press release from MMA, as the firm expands to meet growing demand.

"MMA has seen rising interest from customers and customer prospects for services such as portfolio credit reviews, high-yield sector deep dives, customized research on federal policy and climate change, and private speaking engagements," the firm wrote in a press release. "To meet this growing demand, MMA expects to continue expanding its workforce in the near term."

Prior to joining MMA, Gutierrez was a reporter at Octus, formerly known as Reorg, and a reporting intern at Bloomberg News. She covered municipal bonds in both positions.

Gutierrez acknowledged that she's stepping into her new role in a turbulent time for munis. The government shutdown, for instance, began a week before she joined MMA.

"It's definitely a time of rising uncertainty. More need for proof, more need for people to understand their bearings," Gutierrez said. "I'm seeing all this happening, and I know why it's so valuable to have fresh insights, to have more hands on deck."

Gutierrez will take primary responsibility for the firm's intraday INSIGHT newsletter and contribute to MMA's consulting practice and monthly ADVISOR report. The hire allows MMA Director Kevin McGuigan to take over the daily STRATEGIST report, according to the release.

"The municipal market is expanding, but many of the economic and financial challenges facing borrowers are not obvious right now, because credit spreads and rating differences are so tight," MMA President Matt Fabian said in the release.

"This is when customers value our independence and our integrity. We want to help the market see ahead to what's next and set their expectations and strategies accordingly," he said.

"Marvis has the exact experience we needed, and I know she'll engage well with our clients," Fabian said. "I'm really excited for our customers who don't already know her to meet her."

Gutierrez's first day was Oct. 6. She is based in New York.

Gutierrez was motivated to join MMA because of her trust for the team, she said. She had interacted with MMA's research and analysts in her previous jobs.

Gutierrez noted that her journalism experience was unconventional for an analyst, but she said it could be a strength.

"It's a unique background, but I think the unique background can also help MMA clients have an idea of what's interesting," Gutierrez said. "Great journalists are curious, and I feel like analysts are really similar in that."