The Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank

Established in 1985, with the assistance of the Indiana General Assembly, the City of Indianapolis established the Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank, the first municipal bond bank in the country. The Bond Bank is a municipal corporation that serves as the debt issuance and management arm of the City of Indianapolis and related “Qualified Entities.” These entities include special taxing districts, political subdivisions, and building/leasing authorities. Since its inception, the Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank has issued nearly $13 billion in bonds and notes on behalf of various Qualified Entities of the City of Indianapolis and Marion County. The Bond Bank’s structure allows for the centralized management and supervision of all debt issued by governmental entities throughout Marion County. By coordinating all locally-issued debt, including general obligation and revenue bonds, the Bond Bank provides leadership and guidance through the capital markets and the sale of municipal bonds and other debt instruments. For example, the Bond Bank coordinates the timing of all city and Qualified Entity bond sales. The Bond Bank also maintains relationships and regular communications with representatives from the national credit rating agencies and assists with securing ratings when necessary and providing frequent updates to the agencies on the City’s economy, employment figures, major developments, and the annual budget and audit process. The Bond Bank actively monitors local and national bond markets, as well as financial and economic trends that impact bond issuance structures, timing, and interest rates.