Bond Users Clearinghouse
Providing data on bond issuances and local government debt in Washington state
New to the Clearinghouse?
The Bond Users Clearinghouse provides a wealth of data on bond issuances and local government debt across Washington state. This data can be found under the reports header in the right column menu.
If you are a new Bond User and need to create a Bond 101 account, you will need to create a Bond 101 account with the Clearinghouse, and create an account through Secure Access Washington. Bond 101 accounts are approved by Clearinghouse staff, new account requests will only be approved during business hours.
If you have any questions about the registration process or data available through the Clearinghouse, please reach out to us at BUC@Commerce.wa.gov.
Learn about Bonds and Debt
Frequently asked questions about Bond 101 reporting
Is my jurisdiction required to submit bond issuance data?
Yes. State law (RCW 39.44) requires all bond issuers in the state — both state and local — to report bond and other debt issuances to the Department of Commerce within 20 days of closing on the bond. You will enter your information in a convenient online tool, which we call a Bond 101 report.
Who completes the Bond 101 report?
Most Bond 101s are completed by the bond counsel. At times the financial advisor or underwriter completes the report. More rarely, issuers submit their own reports.
What kind of information is required on the Bond 101?
The data that needs to be reported includes issuer name and contact information; user name (if different from issuer); official name and type of issuance; purpose of issuance; issuance par value and interest rate; costs of issuance; bond ratings; issuance team members (bond counsel, underwriter, rating agency, etc.)
How is the Bond 101 data used?
The Clearinghouse publishes the Bond 101 data in monthly Excel spreadsheets and in the annual Public Debt Report on the Reports, Articles and Databases page. The Clearinghouse can also customize a search of the data and send a spreadsheet of all data that meet whatever criteria you specify.
Five Ways to Learn More About Public Debt
The Bond Users Clearinghouse collects, analyzes, and publishes information on all bonds issued in the state, and on local government outstanding general-obligation debt. This information, which is available free of charge, is provided through five services:
- The annual Public Debt Report, which itemizes all state and local government bond issuances.
- The annual GO Report, which lists local government general-obligation debt and use of statutory debt capacity.
- Monthly spreadsheets of all state and local bond data reported to the Clearinghouse.
- News and information about public debt, including analysis of our data and background on emerging issues.
- A public debt archives, which is an online database of bond issuances that allows you to search for bond issuances using several criteria. You can also download official bond documents.
Note that we can also conduct customized searches, make copies of documents from our archives, or point you in the direction of additional resources.
Calculating Local Debt Capacity: How and Why?
Regardless of revenues, history, and ratings, the state limits the borrowing power of even the most credit-worthy local governments. Those limitations, both constitutional and statutory, are based on a percentage of the assessed valuation of the taxable properties within each jurisdiction.
In our Local Debt Limitations Primer, we walk you through how and why local debt capacity is calculated.
Research Services
Reports, Articles and Databases
The Clearinghouse publishes the Bond 101 data in monthly Excel spreadsheets and in the annual Public Debt Report. These resources may be accessed on the Reports, Articles and Databases page.
BUC Resources
Statutory Authority
Chapter 39.44 RCW (Bonds – Miscellaneous Provisions, Bond Information Reporting) requires all state and local governments or their agents to submit a Bond 101 report on all debt issues within 20 days of issuance. Local governments are also required to report annually on their outstanding general-obligation debt.
Contact
Program Inbox
BUC@Commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-5033
Tammi Alexander, Program Manager
Tammi.Alexander@Commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-688-0191