Business, Free News Articles

Leonard Jones Joins Blaylock Van, Wall Street’s Oldest Continually Operating Black-Owned Firm, as Executive Director of Municipal Banking, Public Finance

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. -- Industry veteran Leonard Jones has been named Executive Director of Municipal Banking and Head of Public Finance for Blaylock Van, LLC, the nation's longest-continuously operating Black-owned investment firm. In this role, he will lead the firm's banking team and solutions for local and municipal government organizations with a focus on financial and risk management.

Most recently, Jones was Managing Director of Moody's Investors Service, where he managed the company's public finance local government ratings group. Prior to that, he served as Partner and Head of Investment Banking for Rice Financial Products and Vice President of Morgan Stanley and Company in New York as well as Chief Consultant for the Zambia Privatization Agency in Zambia, among other notable industry leadership positions.

"Lenny's extensive leadership and strategic expertise will be a tremendous benefit to our clients and our team, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Blaylock Van," said Blaylock Van CEO and President Eric Standifer. "He is a visionary across municipal finance and investment banking as well as marketing and talent development, which will support the continued growth and innovation of our municipal banking and public finance enterprise."

Jones received his MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and his bachelor's degree in economics from Dartmouth College. He also serves as Board Treasurer for the New York Urban League.

Certified as a Minority Business Enterprise by the State of New York, the State of Wisconsin, the City of New York, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Blaylock Van is 81 percent Black-owned. Blaylock Van serves corporations, municipalities, investment managers, and pension funds with a diverse employee base committed to work beyond financial services.

About Blaylock Van, LLC:

Blaylock Van, LLC (BV) is the oldest and continuously operating Black-owned banking firm in the United States, providing personalized services for clients across the country. Clients include corporations, municipalities, investment managers, pension funds, and family offices. The firm's headquarters are in New York City, with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, and Oakland, Calif.

For more information, please visit https://brv-llc.com/

Related link: https://brv-llc.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Free News Articles

Blaylock Van, LLC Shares its 2022 Year-End Report

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. -- In its year-end report spanning financials, deals, and community investment, Blaylock Van, LLC, the nation's longest continuously operating Black-owned investment banking firm, reported 23 percent growth in notional deal volume year-over-year, with 67 debt capital markets new issues representing nearly $186 billion notional. From 2018 to 2022, Blaylock Van's closed transactions increased by a CAGR of 23 percent and dealt notional value by 50%.

In addition, the firm's municipal team participated in 69 new issue municipal deals approaching $34 billion in debt as of Dec. 1. The team was selected to serve as co-manager on a $3.2 billion Texas Public Finance Authority issuance-the largest the agency has ever issued- and served as co-senior on the $409.7 million City of Atlanta General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds, of which one tranche was classified as Social Bonds.

"Our global team continues to capture new business, report remarkable growth, and showcase the strength of diversity from year to year," said Blaylock Van CEO and President Eric Standifer. "Our 2022 results speak for themselves, and we know we have powerful positive momentum to build on in 2023 and beyond."

Notable debt capital market deals included serving as co-manager on Magallanes' $30 billion transaction, a mega-transaction that opened the new issuance market to issuance in Q1 2022. This was the fifth-largest corporate bond in industry history and the largest deal in 2022. Blaylock Van also served as co-manager on PG&E Wildlife Recovery Funding LLE Series 2022-B $3.9 billion Rate Reduction Bond Securitization.

Furthermore, Blaylock Van served as co-manager for the two largest IPOs in 2022, including TPG's offering, which raised $1.1 billion across 37.2 million shares and was the largest IPO of the year, and Mobileye's IPO, which raised $820 million across 47.15 million shares.

Other key 2022 highlights for Blaylock Van include:

* The firm partnered with Cowen, Inc. to conduct a webinar on Navigating the ESG Path, which centered on bridging the gap between sustainable strategies and financial performance and the intersection of ESG strategy and financial performance.

* Blaylock Van participated in several notable sustainable bond transactions, including a $2 billion Bank of America Sustainability Bond, serving as joint lead; Bank of America used six minority- and women-owned broker dealers as joint lead managers with proceeds to advance racial gender equity, economic opportunity and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the firm participated in the $2.5 billion Citi Inaugural Social Bond for Housing, serving as senior co-manager on the social bond. This was the largest social bond issued by the private sector in 2022 and it won Social Bond of the Year at the Environmental Finance Bond Awards. Bond proceeds will finance construction, rehabilitation and preservation of quality affordable housing for low- and moderate-income populations.

* In February, the company launched an African team based in Nairobi to support U.S. clients in their financial activities throughout the continent. The team, which boasts broad experience across banking, corporate finance, and treasury, leads on a general assessment of and market intelligence on key economics in Africa, focusing on foreign exchange and working capital.

* Blaylock Van expanded its sales and investment banking teams by hiring senior talent across credit sales, syndicate, and capital markets, adding significant experience and expertise in these sectors.

* The global BV team supports nonprofits such as buildOn, which delivers service-learning programs in underserved U.S. high schools and builds schools in some of the world's poorest countries to break the cycle of poverty; CEO Standifer also joined the organization's California Board of Directors. The team also gives time, support, and donations to nonprofits, including the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, which helps create entrepreneurship opportunities for diverse women across the United States, as well as Cancer Care, the leading national organization dedicated to providing free professional supports services to anyone affected by cancer, and San Francisco Achievers, which supports African-American young men in the San Francisco Unified School District to lead and thrive in higher education, among others.

* Blaylock Van was a partner for the 2nd annual United Diversity Business Summit, with Standifer serving as a keynote speaker, where he shared "The Importance of Diverse and Inclusive Decision-Making."

Certified as a Minority Business Enterprise by the State of New York, Wisconsin, the City of New York, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Blaylock Van is 89 percent Black-owned. Blaylock Van serves corporations, municipalities, investment managers and pension funds with a diverse employee base committed to work beyond financial services.

About Blaylock Van, LLC:

Blaylock Van, LLC (BV) is the oldest and continuously operating Black-owned banking firm in the United States, providing personalized services for clients across the country. Clients include corporations, municipalities, investment managers, pension funds, and family offices. The firm's headquarters are in New York City, with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Miami, and Oakland, Calif.

For more information, please visit https://brv-llc.com/

Related link: https://brv-llc.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Free News Articles, Regional Events

Blaylock Van Partners to Support 2nd Annual United Diversity Business Summit

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Blaylock Van, LLC, the nation's longest continuously operating Black-owned investment bank, will serve as a sponsorship partner for the 2nd annual United Diversity Business Summit, Presented by Thinkzilla Consulting Group & The City of Scottsdale. The Sept. 14 summit will convene diverse business leaders and entrepreneurs across Arizona.

The annual summit is a critical part of the work to accelerate DEI progress; each person's new tools, connections, and understanding will be taken and transformed into action. Whether that is a conversion, a commitment to action, a policy change, a new community partnership, etc., the need to carry the energy, information, and momentum forward is essential to driving equity and inclusion.

Certified as a Minority Business Enterprise by the State of New York, Wisconsin, the City of New York, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Blaylock Van is 81 percent Black-owned. It recently established a formal training program as part of its DEI initiatives. It serves corporations, municipalities, investment managers, and pension funds with a diverse employee base committed to working beyond financial services.

"We are honored to again have the support of an organization that threads diversity and inclusivity into everything it does," said summit's founder and CEO of Thinkzilla Consulting, Dr. Velma Trayham. "Blaylock Van has an incredible history. We are thrilled that Eric Standifer will share some secrets to their ongoing success with diversity, inclusivity, and equity in the investment world."

"As the oldest Black-owned investment bank in the country, we have a unique perspective on diversity best practices," Standifer added. "I look forward to sharing some of our challenges, opportunities, and insights on making decisions and taking actions that truly incorporate diverse perspectives."

The 2022 United Diversity Business Summit will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Center with the theme of "Enhancing the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem through Diversity, Community and Innovation." It is free for attendees.

Attendees will learn from more than 25 keynote experts on innovative approaches and best practices to improve economic diversity outcomes for organizations and entrepreneurs. The summit will host two tracks: Track 1 is designed for public and private companies seeking to increase diversity outcomes, and Track 2 incorporates business development programs to attract and grow the minority small business community. Workshop topics will include using disruption to advance business strategy, entrepreneurship 101, supplier diversity, inclusive decision-making, overcoming financial challenges, and more.

In addition to Standifer, speakers for the 2022 summit include David Ortega, Mayor of Scottsdale; Dr. Velma Trayham, CEO of Thinkzilla; Jackie Johnson, Diversity Director for the City of Scottsdale; Rob Millar, Economic Development Director for the City of Scottsdale; Art Hamilton, founder of the Art Hamilton Group; Danny Seiden, President, and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Cloves Campbell, co-publisher of the Arizona Informant and more to be announced.

Other Event Sponsors Include SRP (Salt River Project), ASU Office of Economic Development, Country Financial, Fry's Food Stores, and Truist Bank.

Registration is now available at https://uniteddiversitybusinesssummit.com/

About Blaylock Van, LLC:

Blaylock Van, LLC (BV) is the oldest and continuously operating Black-owned investment bank in the United States, providing personalized services for clients across the country. Clients include corporations, municipalities, investment managers, pension funds, and family offices.

The Firm's headquarters are in New York City, with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, and Oakland, Calif. For more information, please visit https://brv-llc.com/.

Related link: https://brv-llc.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Free News Articles

Blaylock Van Partners with Seaport Global to Expand Market Reach

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. -- Blaylock Van, LLC, the nation's longest continuously operating Black-owned investment firm, recently entered into a strategic partnership with Seaport Global, an independent institutional sales and trading powerhouse known for its broad global reach to institutional investors. As part of the agreement, Seaport Global recently purchased a minority stake in Blaylock Van.

Combining Blaylock Van's top-tier investment banking solutions and Seaport Global's extensive worldwide reach, the strategic collaboration will bring together decades of market leadership and expertise to work in partnership on capital market solutions for issuers and investors while expanded distribution will allow for powerful dissemination capabilities in both primary and secondary markets.

"As we continue to develop opportunities for minority investors across the globe, this partnership is the perfect opportunity to drive business growth for a more diverse audience," said CEO and founder of Blaylock Van Eric Van Standifer. "We look forward to collaborating with Seaport Global, connecting with their deep distribution platform and further bolstering our strong client offerings."

Michael J. Meyer, the Seaport Global Partner overseeing the partnership, added, "Seaport Global is committed to growing opportunities for minorities in the financial services industry and we see this as a tremendous platform to accomplish this goal. The strength of the partnership will help Blaylock Van expand the services offered to their clients as well as provide Seaport Global clients with the opportunity to support a minority-owned broker dealer."

Certified as a Minority Business Enterprise by the State of New York, the State of Wisconsin, the City of New York and the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Blaylock Van is 81 percent Black-owned. Blaylock Van serves corporations, municipalities, investment managers and pension funds with a diverse employee base committed to work beyond financial services.

About Blaylock Van, LLC:

Blaylock Van, LLC (BV) is the oldest and continuously operating Black-owned banking form in the United States, providing personalized services for clients across the country. Clients include corporations, municipalities, investment managers, pension funds and family offices. Global electronic equity and fixed-income trading platforms allow direct market access to more than 40 worldwide exchanges, while the firm's proprietary web-based research platform is designed to specifically address the needs of fundamental portfolio managers and analysts. The firm's headquarters are in New York City, with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Miami and Oakland, Calif. For more information, please visit https://brv-llc.com/

About Seaport Global:

Seaport Global Holdings LLC is a leading capital markets firm, providing robust sales, trading and research services and the resources of a full-service investment bank. Seaport Global combines its extensive knowledge, solid relationships and deep distribution platform to serve its clients' most unique business requirements. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices across the US and Europe. Visit https://www.seaportglobal.com/ to learn more.

Related link: https://brv-llc.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Free News Articles

Blaylock Van Serves as Co-Manager for $1.5 Billion State Street Debt Issuance

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. -- Blaylock Van, LLC, the nation's longest continuously operating Black-owned investment firm, recently announced as co-manager for State Street Corp.'s $1.5 debt issuance.

The senior unsecured debt issuance, part of State Street's DE&I focus, involved four black-owned investment firms: Blaylock Van and CastleOak Securities LP as co-managers as well as Siebert Williams Shank & Co. LLC and Loop Capital Markets LLC as bookrunners; the four firms underwrote about half of the total debt securities in the issuance.

"We are proud that the roots of Black History Month and a greater nationwide focus on diversity, inclusion and equity continue to ripple outward," said Blaylock Van CEO and President Eric Standifer. "Blaylock Van always appreciates the opportunity to partner with other Black-owned investment firms to expand our industry reach and presence while creating value for our clients."

The full underwriting syndicate also included Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC acting as bookrunners, with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. as co-manager. This deal represents State Street's third issuance in the past year that was structured under the company's diversity, inclusion and equity strategy. The offering closed Feb. 7.

Certified as a Minority Business Enterprise by the State of New York, the State of Wisconsin, the City of New York and the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Blaylock Van is 81 percent Black-owned. Blaylock Van serves corporations, municipalities, investment managers and pension funds with a diverse employee base committed to work beyond financial services.

About Blaylock Van, LLC

Blaylock Van, LLC (BV) is the oldest and continuously operating Black-owned banking form in the United States, providing personalized services for clients across the country. Clients include corporations, municipalities, investment managers, pension funds and family offices. Global electronic equity and fixed-income trading platforms allow direct market access to more than 40 worldwide exchanges, while the firm's proprietary web-based research platform is designed to specifically address the needs of fundamental portfolio managers and analysts. The firm's headquarters are in New York City, with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Miami and Oakland, Calif.

For more information, please visit https://brv-llc.com/

Related link: https://brv-llc.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.