Public Finance Blog

It’s time to take a quick look back on our industry in 2024, but more importantly what 2025 is
portending.  With a new administration taking office and no clear direction for interest rates or
even further fed cuts, it will be an interesting one economically.  But public finance and the hiring
market for firms and candidates are looking very strong, indeed.

The Start Of 2024…

As we look back on 2024, it was certainly a very interesting year for our industry. It started with
the exit of two major players within the first quarter of the year and most of the bankers and their
teams finding new homes by midyear.  Followed by the mergers of some smaller firms including
Municipal Advisory firms and major law firms, which led to the independent hiring market having
a rocky start as positions were filled without the use of executive recruiters.

What That 3rd Quarter Brought

However, as we headed into the third quarter, activity across the board picked up significantly. 
Banks and firms were once again reaching out for new hires, especially on the bond counsel
side.  From a personal viewpoint, we could not find candidates quick enough to fill the bond
counsel openings that were created by the silver tsunami effect.  Investment banking firms also
had voids they wanted to meet.

The 2025 Market For Firms & Candidates

As we head into 2025, the market for bankers and bond counsels is looking extremely strong. 
Firms are already coming back to us for help with filling their voids across the nation.  Good
quality candidates are in demand, for sure.

Our Exciting News!

With the above as a backdrop and our newsletter out this week, I am excited to share our new
slogan with you:

Shining the light on Public Finance 

Candidate and firms, in addition to this new slogan, our new website is coming next week
(hopefully).  Our website comes with a fresh new look updated for 2025, easy navigation with
lots of new information on our industry, and dedicated pages to each of the specific areas of
public finance that we cover.  Our past blogs are there for your immediate reference and our
process is clearly defined.  All of which is mobile friendly of course.
I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year, and thank you for trusting us to
continue to meet your needs in 2025!

Conclusion

You don’t need a resume to chat with us! If you would like to discuss your options, please reach out for a confidential conversation at 760-477-1284 or email at harlan@hfriedmansearch.com. He can also be reached on LinkedIn. Harlan publishes a blog every Thursday here. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here, which is a compilation of our weekly blogs, so you never miss one. We have also been mentioned in Forbes, click HERE to read for yourself.  

About Harlan Friedman, JD & Founding Member, H. Friedman Search LLC. Harlan is a thirty-year veteran Public Finance Banker turned recruiter who specializes in the placement of all levels Public Finance Bankers, Healthcare Bankers, Municipal Advisors, Compliance Officers, Issuers, and Bond Counsels.