In these unprecedented times, the Federal Reserve is opening unprecedented facilities, including its new Municipal Liquidity Facility.  Professor Robert C. Hockett at Cornell Law School has posted a great 3-page paper on this for everyone (like myself) who is interested in quickly learning more about this new Fed program.  Check it out here; Abstract is below.

On April 9th the Fed announced it would be opening an unprecedented new Municipal Liquidity Facility (‘MLF') for States and their Subdivisions now struggling to address the nation’s COVID-19 pandemic. This is effectively ‘Community QE’ in all but name. Because Community QE will constitute a literal lifeline to States and their Subdivisions, and will in light of its novelty be as unfamiliar as it is essential, this Memorandum briefly summarizes what the new Facility enables now and will likely enable in future. On this basis it then recommends a three-phase ‘Game Plan’ for States and their Subdivisions to put into operation immediately – that is, April 13th.

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Photo of Colleen Baker Colleen Baker

PhD (Wharton) Professor Baker is an expert in banking and financial institutions law and regulation, with extensive knowledge of over-the-counter derivatives, clearing, the Dodd-Frank Act, and bankruptcy, in addition to being a mediator and arbitrator.

Previously, she spent time at the U. of…

PhD (Wharton) Professor Baker is an expert in banking and financial institutions law and regulation, with extensive knowledge of over-the-counter derivatives, clearing, the Dodd-Frank Act, and bankruptcy, in addition to being a mediator and arbitrator.

Previously, she spent time at the U. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Business, the U. of Notre Dame Law School, and Villanova University Law School. She has consulted for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and for The Volcker Alliance.  Prior to academia, Professor Baker worked as a legal professional and as an information technology associate. She is a member of the State Bars of NY and TX. Read More