California law restricts the types of instruments in which California cities, districts and other local agencies can invest public funds. Previously, among other requirements, Section 53601 of the California Government Code provided that these municipalities could only invest public funds in asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities when (i) issued by an issuer rated at least “A” or its equivalent for its debts by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (an “NRSRO”) and (ii) such securities had a maximum maturity of five years or less. As described in the Local Agency Investment Guidelines issued by the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission (available here), Section 53601 has been amended to both (i) eliminate the requirement that a securities issuer be rated at least “A” or its equivalent and (ii) revise the maximum maturity provision to require that asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities have a maximum remaining maturity of five years or less, as determined when the municipality acquires the investment.
Continue Reading Changes in California law may provide new opportunities for ABS and MBS issuers and California governmental entity investors