Buffett sees 'terrible problem' ahead for muni bonds

Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has been trimming its investment in municipal debt, predicted a “terrible problem” for the bonds in coming years. “There will be a terrible problem and then the question becomes will the federal government help,” Buffett, 79, said today at the U.S. Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission in New York. “I don't know how I would rate them myself. It's a bet on how the federal government will act over time.” Berkshire's investment portfolio included municipal bonds valued at less than $3.9 billion as of March 31, down from more than $4.7 billion at the end of 2008. The company had a maximum of $16 billion at risk in derivatives tied to such debt, according to the company's annual report for 2009. Buffett has previously warned about the risks of insuring municipal bonds. In his annual letter to shareholders in 2009, he said public officials may be tempted to default on bonds whose payments are guaranteed by insurance companies rather than push through needed tax increases. He said guaranteeing municipal bonds against default “has the look today of a dangerous business.”