Monthly Archives: November 2008

KNN on Credit Crisis

November 28, 2008 // by Russell Fisher // Leave a comment

With Wall Street occupying the front page of our newspapers, it may be tempting to conclude that the financial crisis just hit the municipal bond markets as well. Actually, in the municipal bond markets, we are passing the first anniversary of what has now become a worldwide fiscal crisis.

In the fall of 2007, the rating agencies began questioning the credit ratings of bond insurers, citing their exposure to securitized sub-prime mortgages. By expressing doubt and eventually downgrading certain bond insurers, a chain of events was unleashed that alone would have been sufficient to rock the world of municipal finance. But as the same credit analysis was applied to more and more financial institutions, the sub-prime mortgage crisis contributed to a global market collapse and the onset of recession, pushing public finance into truly uncharted territory. Read More

$30 Million Solar Power Agreement

November 26, 2008 // by Press Release // Leave a comment

In evaluating a proposal from Chevron Energy Corporation to install $30 million solar energy equipment on various sites in the District, the Milpitas Unified School District (“MUSD”) turned to KNN Public Finance for an independent third-party review. KNN has provided financial advisory services to MUSD since 1996. “Our school board members have the utmost confidence in KNN and Dave Olson,” said Superintendent Karl N. Black, Ed.D. Read More

Regulatory Reform

November 25, 2008 // by George Feiger // Leave a comment

The bloodletting on Wall Street is still in full swing, yet we’ve already begun to hear calls for greater regulation of the financial services industry. Given the magnitude of the crisis, it is likely some regulatory reform will occur. As we go through this process, it’s critical that we keep our wits about us and make decisions based on fact and not emotion. Read More

You’re Welcome to Think

November 22, 2008 // by Russell Fisher // Leave a comment

It turns out that this Internet thing is good for more than just sending emails, investing, and viewing weird home videos. And we know that we need to do better at using it to communicate with you.

Armed with that knowledge, we are starting a blog. Those of you in the know understand what a blog is—or at least you have an idea of a few out there—see the value in creating a communication tool where we can talk to you and you can talk to us. But to those who do not know, we’ll explain what it means for Zions and what our purpose will be. Read More