MSRB Announces New Board, Seeks Input on Strategic Priorities
Section: Washington Update


Provide Your Input on EMMA

Notably, the MSRB is seeking specific input on future development of its Electronic Municipal Market Access website, or EMMA, the official repository for information on virtually all municipal bonds.
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board has announced the areas that it will focus on in the upcoming year, as well as the names of its new 21-member board of directors which establishes regulatory policies and oversees operations.
 
The MSRB plans to implement a rule requiring dealers to disclose to retail investors information about dealer compensation when buying municipal bonds from or selling them to investors. In addition, the MSRB also will expand its MuniEdPro course catalog to provide municipal market participants with high-quality, interactive educational content, and develop additional professional qualification standards for municipal advisors, including a principal exam and continuing education requirements.
 
With respect to municipal advisor regulation, the MSRB will address advertising practices and activities of solicitor municipal advisors, and additional professional qualification requirements, including continuing education. The full list of the 21 Board members, along with their biographies, can be found here:
 
The MSRB is also seeking public input on its core activities and strategic goals to help guide the organization’s long-term priorities. Feedback from market stakeholders supports the MSRB’s ability to fulfill its mission to protect investors, state and local government issuers, other municipal entities and the public interest by promoting a fair and efficient municipal market. Notably, the MSRB is seeking specific input on future development of its Electronic Municipal Market Access website, or EMMA, the official repository for information on virtually all municipal bonds. In addition, the MSRB is also seeking feedback from municipal market participants on prioritizing its ongoing efforts and what, if any, additional issues should be considered. 
 
Comments should be submitted to the MSRB no later than November 11, 2016