Regional bond dealers band together

Regional bond dealers have a new trade organization. Fourteen bond dealers announced today that they have formed The Regional Bond Dealers Association, based in Alexandria, Va. The turmoil in the bond market was a “factor in wanting to put [the group] together now,” said Michael Decker, co-chief executive officer of the organization. The group will look for opportunities to help policy makers deal with the credit crunch, Mr. Decker said. It will also deal with issues of the alternative minimum tax, and reporting of bond transactions, Mr. Decker said, as well as operational issues faced by bond dealers.