Bond Investment Mentor

Hosted by Chris Nelson, CFA

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Are you searching for an objective source to help you understand how to manage fixed income investments for your financial institution? Each week, join Chris Nelson, a 30-year banking and investment veteran, as he covers fixed income securities and investment portfolio management, and discusses the latest news and developments in the financial markets.

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52 recent

June 7, 202631 min

Understanding Step-Up Agency Bonds

Welcome to Bond Investment Mentor! In this episode, Chris breaks down callable step-up agency bonds. He explains how these agency bonds work and how these investments could deliver less than you expect. Chris also provides a framework for analyzing step-ups using Bloomberg screens and deciding whether they actually make sense for your institution's portfolio. In this episode: Market & Fed update (1:43) Listener question: Discount MBS investments & a yield quirk (8:28) Understanding callable agencies (13:40) Callable step-up agency basics How to evaluate them (Download: Pre-Purchase Due Diligence Checklists) The challenges of call and coupon interaction Developing a step-up investment approach Boost your investment fundamentals with Bond Basics (Learn More) (26:55) If you have questions about anything covered in this episode, please email me at Chris @ BondInvestmentMentor.com. Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Please share this episode and podcast with them! You will find more articles, tips, and resources about fixed-income investing and portfolio management at BondInvestmentMentor.com. Check it out! Let’s Connect via Social Media! LinkedIn: Christopher Nelson, CFA

May 17, 202642 min

Callable Agency Bonds: Know the Trade-Offs

Welcome to Bond Investment Mentor! In this episode, Chris explores callable agency bonds and examines what you're actually trading away when you buy these securities. He walks through how callable bonds work, the three main call structures you'll encounter, and the portfolio-level implications of giving up control to the issuer. You'll also learn which Bloomberg screens to use when analyzing callables and how to think strategically about whether these securities belong in your portfolio. In this episode: Fed & Market Update (2:23) Proposed FHLB/FRB liquidity stress solution (9:02) Understanding callable agencies (11:40) Callable agency basics Types of call structures The yield/control trade-off Bloomberg screens for callable agency analysis The value of one-on-one mentoring (Learn More) (32:55) If you have questions about anything covered in this episode, please email me at Chris @ BondInvestmentMentor.com. Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Please share this episode and podcast with them! You will find more articles, tips, and resources about fixed-income investing and portfolio management at BondInvestmentMentor.com. Check it out! Let’s Connect via Social Media! LinkedIn: Christopher Nelson, CFA

April 30, 202637 min

Before You Buy: Your Pre-Purchase Due Diligence Process

Welcome to Bond Investment Mentor! In this episode, Chris discusses the importance of establishing a solid investment pre-purchase due diligence process. He shares a four-question framework to help build a system that works both before and after the investment purchase. In this episode: Fed & Market Update (2:08) Visa Class B repurchase offer (Visa announcement) (13:01) Your Pre-Purchase Due Diligence Process (18:08) Free download: Pre-Purchase Due Diligence Checklists (32:55) If you have questions about anything covered in this episode, please email me at Chris @ BondInvestmentMentor.com. Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Please share this episode and podcast with them! You will find more articles, tips, and resources about fixed-income investing and portfolio management at BondInvestmentMentor.com. Check it out! Let’s Connect via Social Media! LinkedIn: Christopher Nelson, CFA

April 17, 202633 min

When Did You Last Really Look at Your Investment Policy?

Welcome to Bond Investment Mentor! In this episode, Chris explores why most investment policies are built to fight the last crisis and how that reactive approach leaves institutions exposed to emerging risks. He shares a practical six-step approach for transforming your investment policy into a forward-looking strategic tool. In this episode: Market & Rate Update (1:37) NEW! Sub-Debt Reference Guide (LEARN MORE) (6:09) Taking a Fresh Look at Your Investment Policy Statement (8:18) Looking Backward - The Reactive Approach What an Effective IPS Actually Is 6 Steps to Building a Forward-Looking IPS Working with Nelson Capital Advisors (29:23) If you have questions about anything covered in this episode, please email me at Chris @ BondInvestmentMentor.com. Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Please share this episode and podcast with them! You will find more articles, tips, and resources about fixed-income investing and portfolio management at BondInvestmentMentor.com. Check it out! Let’s Connect via Social Media! LinkedIn: Christopher Nelson, CFA Connect with Nelson Capital Advisors Interested in discussing how these concepts apply to your institution? I'd welcome the conversation. Email: Chris@NelsonCapitalAdvisors.com Phone: 207-420-2442 Website: NelsonCapitalAdvisors.com About Nelson Capital Advisors Nelson Capital Advisors is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, specializing in serving community banks and credit unions. We provide investment advisory services, portfolio management consulting, investment policy development, and fixed-income strategy guidance. Bond Investment Mentor LLC and Nelson Capital Advisors are commonly owned entities. For detailed information about Nelson Capital Advisors' services, fees, and potential conflicts of interest, please review our Form ADV Part 2A brochure. Important Disclaimer The content in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice for your specific situation. For advice tailored to your institution's needs, please contact Nelson Capital Advisors directly.

April 6, 202646 min

Investing in Bank Sub-Debt

Welcome to Bond Investment Mentor! In this episode, Chris breaks down bank subordinated debt as community banks face a wave of refinancing offers. Learn what makes sub-debt riskier than typical bonds, the policy foundation required before investing, and how to perform independent credit analysis on these securities. In this episode: Market & Rate Update (1:32) Follow-Up Investments/Liquidity Discussion on LinkedIn (7:51) Investing in Bank Sub-Debt (12:22) Coming in May - The Community Bank Performance Institute (39:31) (LEARN MORE) If you have questions about anything covered in this episode, please email me at Chris @ BondInvestmentMentor.com. Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Please share this episode and podcast with them! You will find more articles, tips, and resources about fixed-income investing and portfolio management at BondInvestmentMentor.com. Check it out! Let’s Connect via Social Media! LinkedIn: Christopher Nelson, CFA

March 20, 202633 min

Cash Flow Is King

Welcome to Bond Investment Mentor! In this episode, Chris explores why strategic cash flow management should be your number one liquidity tool for managing the investment portfolio. Learn how to move from reactive scrambling to proactive liquidity planning, while protecting portfolio income and performance. In this episode: Federal Reserve Update (1:13) FASB Comments on Hedging HTM Securities (7:12) Cash Flow Is King (12:45) Free 3-Day Investment Managers Playbook Series (28:46) (LEARN MORE) If you have questions about anything covered in this episode, please email me at Chris @ BondInvestmentMentor.com. Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Please share this episode and podcast with them! You will find more articles, tips, and resources about fixed-income investing and portfolio management at BondInvestmentMentor.com. Check it out! Let’s Connect via Social Media! LinkedIn: Christopher Nelson, CFA

April 5, 202539 min

The Return of Prepayment Risk Management

Welcome to Bond Investment Mentor! In this episode, Chris discusses prepayment risk, why it may be making a comeback, and how to manage this risk in investment portfolios.In this episode:Celebrating five years of BIM1 (1:06)Bond market update (2:40)Bond rally and interest ratesFed Chair Powell commentsThe importance of "strategic patience"What's happening with the GDPNow model? (7:30) - Check out Atlanta Fed GDPNowThe return of prepayment risk management (12:32)How to work with Chris (36:00) (LEARN MORE)If you have questions about anything covered in this episode, please email me at Chris @ BondInvestmentMentor.com.Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Please share this episode and podcast with them!You will find more articles, tips, and resources about fixed-income investing and portfolio management at BondInvestmentMentor.com. Check it out!Let’s Connect via Social Media!LinkedIn: Christopher Nelson, CFA

March 22, 202538 min

The Power Of Strategic Portfolio Management

Welcome to Bond Investment Mentor! In this episode, Chris explores the power of strategic portfolio management and why it's essential for community financial institutions in today's uncertain environment.In this episode:Upcoming training (2:10)GSBC Executive Development InstituteCommunity Bank Performance InstituteLearn MoreFederal Reserve update (4:00)FOMC decisionBowman nomination for Vice ChairInterest rates and the yield curve (11:35)The power of strategic investment portfolio management (15:16)Investment Training - Bond Basics Course (LEARN MORE)If you have questions about anything covered in this episode, please email me at Chris @ BondInvestmentMentor.com.Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Please share this episode and podcast with them!You will find more articles, tips, and resources about fixed-income investing and portfolio management at BondInvestmentMentor.com. Check it out!Let’s Connect via Social Media!LinkedIn: Christopher Nelson, CFA

February 6, 202426 min

Rates Are Changing, What Should We Do Now?

In this episode:FOMC decision (1:35)BTFP is officially ending (6:09)Discount Window proposal (7:55)Federal Reserve info on Discount Window collateral (Click here)Rates are changing, what should we do? (11:23)Upcoming investment strategy workshop (LEARN MORE)Two investment training opportunities (22:37)Bond Basics course (LEARN MORE)Community Bank Investments School (CBIS) (LEARN MORE)If you have questions about anything covered in this episode, please email me at Chris @ BondInvestmentMentor.com.Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Please share this episode and podcast with them!You will find more articles, tips, and resources about fixed-income investing and portfolio management at BondInvestmentMentor.com. Check it out!Let’s Connect via Social Media!LinkedIn: Christopher Nelson, CFAFacebook: Bond Investment Mentor

January 17, 202428 min

Let's Get Ready for 2024!

In this episode:Bond market review (2:14)Federal Reserve update (4:59)BTFP expirationFOMC membership changesPortfolio preparations for 2024 (10:12)Join us at the Fixed Income Institute (LEARN MORE)If you have questions about anything covered in this episode, please email me at Chris @ BondInvestmentMentor.com.Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Please share this episode and podcast with them!You will find more articles, tips, and resources about fixed-income investing and portfolio management at BondInvestmentMentor.com. Check it out!Let’s Connect via Social Media!LinkedIn: Christopher Nelson, CFAFacebook: Bond Investment Mentor