Speakers Bureau: Economics

Vinny Bleau

Vice President, Fixed Income Analyst
Fixed Income Research

Possible Topic Title(s):
Fixed Income Strategies for the Current Economic Environment, Sector Valuations, Portfolio Strategy, Relative Value, Yield Curve Strategy, Total Return Ideas

Brief Topic Description(s):
Fixed income strategies for the current economic environment: There is always some uncertainty in the market. We use a top-down approach to help you invest in the current economic environment.

Sector valuations: We will discuss the various investment grade sectors and where and why certain attractive investments exist.

Portfolio strategy: Strategies to help improve portfolio performance during different economic cycles.

Relative value: We analyze where relative value(s) exist(s) in the market today.

Yield curve strategy: Interest rate cycles can last for years at a time. We help investors position their portfolios as the curve twists and turns.

Total return ideas: We discuss which investment strategies and tactics will help you outperform on a total return basis.

Target Audience:
Economics, Municipalities, Total Return, Banks

Ellis Phifer, CFA^®, CMT

Managing Director
Total Return and Insurance Strategies

Possible Topic Title(s):
Fixed Income Strategies for the Current Economic Environment, Sector Valuations, Portfolio Strategy, Relative Value, Yield Curve Strategy, Total Return Ideas

Brief Topic Description(s):
Fixed Income Strategies for the Current Economic Environment: There’s always some uncertainty in the market. This presentation helps you make sense of what is affecting the market and sound ways to position your portfolio to take advantage of what the market is giving you.

Sector Valuations: We will discuss the various investment grade sectors and where and why certain attractive investments exist.

Portfolio Strategy: How an overall portfolio strategy should look now, as well as the tactical opportunities that currently exist.

Relative Value: We will discuss where relative value(s) exist(s) in the market today.

Yield Curve Strategy: Interest rate cycles last for years at a time, and ways to position your portfolio change as the curve twists and turns.

Total Return Ideas: We discuss which investment strategies and tactics will help you outperform on a total return basis.

Target Audience:
Economics, Municipalities, Total Return, Banks

Dale W. Stover

Managing Director, Strategic Investment Management
Financial Institutions Portfolio Strategies

Possible Topic Title(s):
Balance Sheet Management in the current Rate Environment, Making sure your portfolio works in your Balance Sheet, Staying prepared for Interest Rate Volatility, Portfolio Management: Not just the bond portfolio any longer, Economic Uncertainty

Brief Topic Description(s):
Balance Sheet Management in the current Rate Environment: The rate environment and economic conditions impact more than just investment decisions. Identify areas across the entire balance sheet, where adjustments can influence both interest rate risk, liquidity and future earnings performance.

Build/Maintain a Portfolio for Your Balance Sheet: Time management is one of the top challenges of executives. Do not allow groupthink to guide the decisions that impact large portions of your balance sheet. Developing and maintaining a balance sheet centric investment strategy enhances investment decisions keeping the portfolio in line with your growth, liquidity, earnings and capital targets.

Staying prepared for Interest Rate Volatility: Understand the various interest rate risk management options to position the retail and wholesale sides of your assets and liabilities thereby minimizing unexpected risk. Do you plan for the extremes, or do you plan for the realities?

Portfolio Management: Not just the bond portfolio any longer, building a portfolio is not what it used to be. The myopic approach of only considering a single bond, a single sector or just the portfolio can lead your balance sheet down the wrong road.

Economic Uncertainty: Whether employment, inflation, production or the consumer stability and predictability are rarely close at hand. Looking at market measures and trying to make sense out of where we are and what could be coming can be beneficial in setting up your portfolio and your balance sheet for success as the yield curve responds to the market.

Target Audience:
Banks, Credit Unions, Economics