Jim Lebenthal Remains Muni Bonds' Biggest Champion

As investments, municipal bonds have been traditionally seen as safe, stodgy and boring. None of those terms describe Jim Lebenthal, one of "munis" biggest fans. At 81, Lebenthal is a larger-than-life character, a raconteur who can sell ice cubes to Eskimos without breaking a sweat. Munis are in his blood. "Has there ever been such an enthusiastic booster of the municipal bond market?" asked Bloomberg News columnist Joe Mysak a few years ago. Probably not.