New York, NY, January 13, 2021 – SIFMA today announced updates to its set of G-17 Model Risk Disclosure Documents to help municipal securities underwriters comply with the recently amended requirements for disclosure to municipal issuers set forth by the revised interpretive guidance to Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) Rule G-17.

The new documents update existing risk disclosures required for complex municipal securities financings, including floating rate notes, fixed rate bonds, interest rate swaps, forward delivery bonds, tender offer bonds and variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs).

“SIFMA created our G-17 model underwriter documents in 2012 to assist underwriters in their compliance with the Rule. In May 2020 we revised our G-17 model underwriter disclosure documents to reflect the changes the MSRB made to the guidance, and we now offer updated versions of model risk disclosures as well,” said Bernard Canepa, vice president and assistant general counsel, SIFMA. “The latest versions include clearer drafter’s notes to make it easier to utilize the model documents, address the transition away from LIBOR with ARRC fallback language, and add the disclosure of additional risks not previously included in the model documents.”

The MSRB established a compliance date of March 31, 2021 (extended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic) for its amended and restated guidance regarding the fair dealing obligations underwriters owe to issuers of municipal securities under MSRB Rule G-17, which covers the conduct of both municipal securities and municipal advisory activities.

SIFMA recommends that underwriters update their internal processes and continue to educate their public finance departments and issuer clients about the coming changes.  SIFMA also plans to introduce six new model risk disclosures in the near future to further assist underwriters in complying with Rule G-17.

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SIFMA is the leading trade association for broker-dealers, investment banks and asset managers operating in the U.S. and global capital markets. On behalf of our industry’s nearly 1 million employees, we advocate for legislation, regulation and business policy, affecting retail and institutional investors, equity and fixed income markets and related products and services. We serve as an industry coordinating body to promote fair and orderly markets, informed regulatory compliance, and efficient market operations and resiliency. We also provide a forum for industry policy and professional development. SIFMA, with offices in New York and Washington, D.C., is the U.S. regional member of the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA). For more information, visit http://www.sifma.org.