Raymond James Continues California Expansion, Adds Leslie Bloom to Local Government Finance Practice
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Raymond James is continuing to expand its public finance capabilities in California by hiring local government banker Leslie A. Bloom. Bloom, who has 11 years of experience in municipal finance, will be responsible for covering cities and special districts in Southern California, as well as assisting with execution support for general municipal entities and school districts throughout the state. Bloom, a Senior Vice President, joins a full-service team of banking professionals backed by a powerful and growing distribution network across California.
Over the past several years, Bloom has structured over 200 senior managed underwriting and private placement financings totaling $3 billion for cities, counties, redevelopment agencies, special districts and the State of California. She has extensive experience structuring new money and refunding transactions for a wide variety of credits, including special tax bonds, tax allocation bonds, lease revenue bonds, certificates of participation, general obligation bonds, pension obligation bonds, and tax and revenue anticipation notes. A graduate of the University of Arizona with degrees in Finance and Accounting, Bloom possesses a strong understanding of government finance and credit. She is a member of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers and the San Diego Chapter of Women in Public Finance.
“Leslie is widely respected for her quantitative, analytical and transaction execution skills, work ethic, and understanding of the California local government landscape,” said Rob Larkins, Public Finance Western Region Manager, who worked with Bloom for three years at Wedbush Securities. “We are excited to add Leslie to our growing local government practice, as I know from first-hand experience how talented and committed Leslie is to providing the highest level of service to our municipal clients.”
Bloom, who joins Raymond James from Hilltop Securities, will open the firm’s first Public Finance office in San Diego County and Raymond James’ fourth Public Finance office in the state – more than any other underwriting firm. “I’m excited to work with Raymond James’ team of experienced investment bankers including Western Region Municipal Underwriter Parker Colvin, to build the ‘go-to’ local government franchise in California,” said Bloom.
“Expanding our Southern California footprint with the addition of a proven banker like Leslie demonstrates Raymond James’ continued commitment to building the leading Public Finance team in California,” said Gavin Murrey, Executive Vice President and Head of Public Finance/Debt Investment Banking at Raymond James. “Our bankers’ level of client service supported by Raymond James’ exceptional bond distribution capabilities and considerable underwriting capacity is a winning formula for the California municipal market.”
Through a series of strategic hires since 2011, Raymond James has assembled a team of professionals and market experts to serve the financing needs of the entire California market, ranging from the state and its two public university systems to cities, counties, school districts, airports and special districts, all of whom need cost-effective market access to address their infrastructure funding needs. The firm continues to look to hire additional talented bankers to round out the team. The new San Diego County office is located at 440 Stevens Avenue, Suite 246, in Solana Beach, California.
Consistently ranked as a top 10 underwriter of municipal bonds nationally, according to Thomson Reuters, Raymond James has one of the largest public finance practices in the country with more than 170 professionals in now 30 locations nationwide. The firm offers municipal issuers a comprehensive distribution platform and the largest middle market sales force of any U.S. broker/dealer.
About Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking and other services to individuals, corporations and municipalities. The company has approximately 7,800 financial advisors throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are $753 billion. Public since 1983, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at raymondjames.com. Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC.