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Raymond James hires 10 former Citi public finance employees

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Raymond James hires 10 former Citi public finance employees

Raymond James has scooped up 10 former Citi employees, including six senior bankers, in an expansion effort that establishes a public finance office in Seattle for the firm, creates a dedicated public power practice, grows its West Coast footprint and enhances the firm’s housing finance group.

Decisions by UBS and Citi to exit public finance announced at the tail end of 2023 presented opportunities for other firms to add talent.

Gavin Murrey, an executive vice president and head of public finance at Raymond James, said he began speaking with the people he hired from Citi about moving over in December.

Chris Mukai (pictured left), who was hired as a managing director and to co-head the Western region public finance division, brought his former Citi team to Raymond James. Ben Selberg was a managing director leading Citi’s Public Power, Energy & Renewables public finance practice, and will do the same for Raymond James in Seattle.

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Raymond James’ ongoing commitment to public finance and its willingness to hire the full team appealed to those hired, Murrey said.

“The hires we have made over the last few years showed a commitment to the business,” Murrey said. He noted the firm has 8,000 to 9,000 retail advisors and covers large municipal buyers as well as middle market fixed accounts, and needs product for those accounts.

The bankers also put forth a compelling plan as to what they believe they can do for Raymond James, he said.

The broker-dealer has hired 51 people over the past two years, though with retirements the hiring spree has only added 14 managing directors for a total of 180 public finance employees, Murrey said. The firm’s headcount in public finance has ranged from 165 to 180 over the past few years, he said.

The Citi California team that came over was led by Chris Mukai, who was hired as a managing director and to co-head the Western region public finance division along with Parker Colvin, who has been with Raymond James since 2013.

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“Raymond James is a highly regarded player in public finance with a talented team of professionals and a robust platform to serve the unique needs of the California market and beyond,” Mukai said in a statement. “It’s a real privilege to join Parker to lead the firm’s efforts in the Western U.S. With his partnership, we look to continue the steady growth and positive momentum that have been building here over the past decade.”

Mukai has 33 years of public finance experience and has worked on $485 billion in deals. He joined Citi in 2001 and led its public finance practice in the Western United States for the past 15 years. Prior to joining Citi, Mukai worked in public finance for Merrill Lynch for 10 years.

Other members of Mukai’s team hired by the firm are Victor Andrade in Los Angeles, Brian Olin in Seattle, and Stephen Field in Orange County, California, all of whom were hired as managing directors, and Harley Hoy in Orange County, hired as a vice president.

Ben Selberg, in Seattle, was a managing director leading Citi’s Public Power, Energy & Renewables public finance practice, and will do the same for Raymond James. Bella Meyn, an analyst, also joins the Seattle office.

Selberg, who was at Citi for 19 years, worked on $50 billion in financings while there, according to Raymond James.

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Though the bulk of the hires are on the west coast, the firm also added Susan Jun, a managing director in the National Housing Group in Chicago; Sara Campbell, a Philadelphia associate, and Neha Chowdhury, a New York analyst.

Jun has nearly 30 years of housing banking experience and has worked as senior banker for many of the largest affordable housing issuers in the country. She will help the National Housing Group further broaden and deepen its client base, with a particular focus on state housing finance agencies.

The ability to attract such an outstanding group of bankers is a testament to the tireless work done by the firm’s public finance team “to fuel our growth and advance our strategic vision to be one of the highest regarded public finance platforms in the nation,” Murrey said.

It’s been a remarkable year for Raymond James so far. Massive deals have enabled it to clamber up the rankings year-to-date from 10th top underwriter in 2023 to the fifth spot, underwriting $5.7 billion, according to LSEG data. The largest deals it led this year were Jefferson County, Alabama, which sold $2.2 billion of sewer revenue warrants; the Midland Independent School District, Texas, which brought $861 million; and the Conroe Independent School District, Texas, with $550 million.

It ranked the 10th top underwriter in 2023, rising from 12th in 2022 accounting for $14.9 billion and a market share of 4.1%, This was an increase from the $12.9 billion and 3.6% market share it totaled in 2022, LSEG said.

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Rodriguez fires campaign manager over finance filing issues – Civic Media

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Rodriguez fires campaign manager over finance filing issues – Civic Media

MADISON, Wis. (Civic Media) – Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, a Democratic candidate for governor, fired her campaign manager Sunday after discovering problems with campaign finance filings, her campaign said.

The campaign said the person was terminated effective immediately following an internal review that found “serious mismanagement and inaccuracies” in reports they prepared. Staff identified the issues late last week and alerted Rodriguez, who then moved to secure campaign accounts and remove the staffer.

The campaign said it plans to contact the Wisconsin Ethics Commission on Monday to correct the filings ahead of a key reporting deadline Wednesday.

Full statement below.

“The Sara Rodriguez for Wisconsin campaign has terminated its campaign manager, effective today, after discovering serious mismanagement and inaccuracies in campaign finance filings she prepared. An initial review found that the manager filed inaccurate and incomplete campaign finance reports. The campaign will be in contact with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission first thing Monday morning to ensure the inaccuracies are corrected. The moment Sara learned of these inaccuracies, she acted swiftly and decisively removed her. The campaign will continue to build support to win in August and beat Tom Tiffany in November.”

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Wedding budget: How to decide what to spend on your big day

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Wedding budget: How to decide what to spend on your big day

Weddings, and the amount they cost, can run the gamut from a small, DIY ceremony in the backyard to a massive bash that shuts down Madison Square Garden. Obviously, the latter may only be within reach for certain pop stars and their football-playing partners, but that still leaves a wide range for how much you and your soon-to-be spouse could potentially spend.

When making the determination, it is important to weigh two things: making your big day a special one and honoring your financial reality. Your wedding may mark the start of your next chapter, but your finances are what will largely shape your future as a married couple.

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PERSONAL FINANCE: Finance 101 — the lessons every college-bound kid should learn now

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PERSONAL FINANCE: Finance 101 — the lessons every college-bound kid should learn  now

Sending a child to college marks an important milestone for families, bringing both new opportunities and natural questions. It’s often the first time students manage money independently while balancing classes, new responsibilities and newfound freedom. This transition also creates a valuable opportunity for parents to guide and teach their children how to build strong financial habits.

While it’s easy to focus on major expenses like tuition and housing, the everyday financial behaviors students develop during this time can shape their future long after graduation. College presents an ideal environment to introduce foundational financial skills in a real-world setting where the stakes are manageable, but the lessons are meaningful. The following areas highlight key lessons parents can help reinforce as their child begins this new chapter.

Understanding cash flow matters more than ever

For many students, college marks the first time money is not simply “there” when they need it. Whether funds come from a checking account, part-time work, or family support, learning how to track income and expenses is essential. Teaching students to understand the difference between fixed costs, like rent or meal plans, and flexible spending, like entertainment or dining out, can help them avoid running short before the semester ends. A simple budget can be a helpful tool that builds awareness and confidence.

Credit is powerful

Credit cards are often heavily marketed to young adults, but few understand how credit really works. College-bound students should recognize that credit is not additional income; interest can accumulate quickly, and payment history plays a critical role. Developing habits like paying balances on time, keeping utilization measured, and regularly reviewing statements can help build strong credit rather than costly missteps. These early behaviors often shape long-term financial health.

Saving is not just for later — it supports flexibility

Students may assume saving can wait until after graduation, but even modest savings during college can serve an important purpose. Emergency expenses, unexpected travel home, or gaps between part-time income can derail finances quickly without a cushion. Understanding the value of saving, even in small amounts, helps students experience firsthand how preparation creates options and reduces stress.

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Financial decisions reflect values

College is often when young adults begin defining what matters most to them. Encouraging students to think about how they spend money, and why, can help align spending with personal priorities. Whether it means minimizing debt, prioritizing experiences, or saving for future goals, learning to make intentional choices fosters independence and accountability.

The goal is not perfection, but to equip students with practical tools and a healthy relationship with money as they enter adulthood. For parents, this means maintaining open conversations, setting realistic expectations, and providing ongoing guidance that can help build confidence in financial decision-making. For families navigating this transition, a financial advisor can provide clarity, outline long-term implications, and help balance education goals with future financial independence.

Bronwyn L. Martin is a Financial Advisor and Chartered Financial Consultant with Martin’s Financial Consulting Group, a financial wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC. in Kennett Square, Pa. and Havre de Grace, Md. She specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for over 25 years. To contact her: www.ameripriseadvisors.com/bronwyn.x.martin.

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