Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bond market outlook has fluctuated amid economic uncertainties, trade tensions, and a fluctuating yield curve. With the trajectory of our recovery uncertain, and the possibility of further stimulus relief and tax revenues again being delayed for local governments, issuing authorities must manage long-term budgetary concerns and mitigate the risk of default. Join us on this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series for a forecast on the economic recovery and how it will affect the bond market.

• James Young, Vice President, The Bank of New York Mellon

• Eric Kazatsky, Head of Municipal Strategy, Bloomberg Intelligence
• Amy Laskey, Managing Director, Fitch Ratings

COVID-19 has drowned the hospitality industry. Hotels, theme parks, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, transportation, and other events employed tens of millions of workers pre-pandemic. As we move through 2021, what will the businesses in this massive industry do to recover from the deceleration of travel and large gatherings? During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, we will explore the landscape of the hospitality industry (large and small) and what is being done to ensure the industry may stay afloat.

• Tammy Davis, Vice President, The Bank of New York Mellon

• Sybongile Cook, Director of Business Development & Strategy, District of Columbia, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development
• Ray Jones, Partner, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
• Carolann Ouellette, Director, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
• Laura Radcliff, Managing Director, Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc.
• Brent Robertson, Managing Director, Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc.

We have all analyzed how the structure of a muni bond reflects the strength of a city's budget and finances. But have you analyzed how those same structures reflect a city's social justice priorities? For example, a highly rated muni bond could come with assurances that the government's finances are not dependent on fees and citations, which disproportionately affect people of color. Or capital flows from muni bonds could be mapped to ensure that investments in one area of service are not negatively impacting social justice improvements in another. During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, we'll discuss strategies for aligning social justice priorities with bond financing and actions in the muni markets.

• Manuel Angeles, Vice President, The Bank of New York Mellon

• Andrea Armeni, Executive Director, Transform Finance
• Charles Goodwin, Head of Public Finance, The Bank of New York Mellon
• Darnell Moses, Vice President, Council of Development Finance Agencies
• Joshua Pollard, President and Chief Executive Officer, Omicelo

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are often willing to make investments in low-income areas, but these investments are typically seen as riskier. By seeking a credit rating, a CDFI can signal its belief in the importance of investing in disadvantaged areas - regardless of whether it is planning to sell debt in the capital markets. With the recent social and racial justice movements, an increasing number of CDFIs have recognized the need to invest in disadvantaged areas and are seeking credit ratings to signal their commitment to doing so. During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series, we will explore how CDFIs, by obtaining a credit rating, can demonstrate the value of making social impact investments.

• Malcolm Guy, Coordinator, Government & External Affairs, Council of Development Finance Agencies
• James Young, Vice President, The Bank of New York Mellon

• Mikiyon Alexander, Senior Director, Sector Head, Fitch Ratings
• Alan Hoffman, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Century Housing Corporation
• Michael Sorth, Managing Director, Hilltop Securities
• Valerie White, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Finance programs for energy and water projects are designed to meet community infrastructure needs and support efficient resource use. However, they can also be used to stabilize local economies as the nation copes with a pandemic-induced recession and the aftermath of recent years’ natural disasters. Join CDFA for this next installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series for a discussion about how energy and water finance programs can be positioned to address various local challenges simultaneously.

• Ariel Miller, Manager, Research and Technical Assistance, Council of Development Finance Agencies

• Jeffrey Diehl, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank
• Jane Elias, Energy and Sustainability Division Manager, County of Sonoma
• Stacy A Swann, Chief Executive Officer & Founding Partner, Climate Finance Advisors, Benefit LLC

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many state-wide government shutdowns. Schools have gone remote, healthcare providers began seeing patients virtually, and small businesses had to shut their doors to in-store customers. That has made many rural Americans painfully aware of the need for greater high-speed internet access. During this webinar, experts will explain how rural communities can embrace the challenges of financing high-speed internet for the economic and societal gains provided by broadband.

Hospitals and healthcare systems serve our communities by improving the quality of life of their patients and bolstering the economy by hiring local workers and contractors, buying locally through procurement strategies, and owning significant property holdings. Because of that, hospitals and healthcare systems have the potential to make communities healthier by leveraging their expertise and resources. Recently, several hospitals nationwide have been investing in their communities by offering loans, loan guarantees, and below market rate lines of credit. During this webinar, we will hear from experts on creative ways that hospitals and healthcare systems can be better partners in solving the most pressing issues in our communities.

Small business owners face challenges accessing capital, investment, and other opportunities to start or grow, and minority entrepreneurs often experience even greater obstacles. As racial inequities continue to expand, many community institutions, lenders, and even corporations are stepping up to reduce barriers for black, indigenous, people of color-owned businesses to access capital. During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, we will be discussing creative financing approaches to minimize barriers and increase access to capital for minority-owned businesses across the country.