Katherine Okon

We analyzed 3,860 #munibond issuers across 3,100 US counties -- and found a near-zero (0.02%) correlation of Moody's credit ratings to HIP's climate threat resilience ratings. Which investments are overrated or underrated? Ask us, HIP has the #Data - on #climate #climateaction #creditratings #ESG #futurerisk #investing #NYCclimateweek https://lnkd.in/g_SK3Xpm

3

Golub Capital has partnered with seven leading business schools to establish or expand Board Fellows Programs at each school, preparing MBA candidates and alumni to become impactful nonprofit board members. Read more: https://okt.to/iStQK4 #nonprofits #boardfellows #impactphilanthropy #socialimpact

4

In this piece, Adam Gofton discusses investing with a long-term lens - why it is hard to do, why we believe it works, and how it is ingrained in Ivy's investment approach. https://lnkd.in/eTXAUkrs

32

Early last week saw a flurry of bank action that involved, or will involve, regulatory bodies. The failure of Republic First and subsequent acquisition of assets and liabilities by Fulton Financial, the announced acquisition of Heartland Financial by UMB Financial and the amended merger agreement between FirstSun Capital Bancorp and Homestreet complete with regulator swapping. I have so many questions about each of these, but will only pose one main one in this post. Before that, however, I have a recommendation for whoever reads this piece. Go see the movie "The Fall Guy" with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Surprisingly entertaining. I saw it at an Alamo Drafthouse in Austin and basically went just to enjoy some churro popcorn and a chocolate shake as I felt that the movie would be decidedly subpar. Turns out the shake machine was broken and I wasn't even sad since the movie was that fun. Anyways, back to my questions about regulators in the above instances. Why did the FDIC and Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Services choose last Friday to close Republic First? Many financials investors were aware that Republic First was a dead bank walking for some time. Why wasn't it closed late February/early March after the failed equity infusion deal? Also, this company hasn't filed quarterly or annual financial reports in a really long time and its securities book has been severely upside down for a long time as well, so why now and not earlier? Hope it wasn't because there was a Knicks/76ers NBA playoff game in Philly (home of Republic First) last weekend. Of course I am joking on this last line, but since regulators do most everything in the shadows, my reason is as good as any. Actually, I must admit I didn't come up with that. My dog did. #doyourwork #askhardquestions #dontbeabagholder https://lnkd.in/gNr_DNmQ

10

1 Comment

Quick but quality post on gifting tips this giving season! Online and cash donations are convenient, but you should consider more efficient and financially beneficial ways to give especially for larger donations.

3

In one of my first stories for S&P Global Market Intelligence, I spoke to frustrated investors who felt HomeStreet Bank's executives cashed out in a merger-ralted compensation agreement while shareholders lost value. Read more about who spoke out and why:

39

1 Comment

If you missed our active adult session, check out the recap below

13

1 Comment

After more than two decades of a fulfilling and dynamic career in Special Assets Management, I am excited to embark on a new journey—consulting. It has been a privilege to work with some of the most reputable financial institutions, where I had the opportunity to oversee major asset recovery operations, manage distressed portfolios, and negotiate settlements that resulted in substantial recoveries, often exceeding billions of rupees. During my time at Bank Al-Baraka as Senior Vice President, I successfully led negotiations in high-profile cases such as HASCOL Petroleum, Gulistan Group, and Pak Leather Crafts, consistently achieving outcomes that minimized financial losses and safeguarded the bank’s interests. These experiences have shaped my deep understanding of risk assessment, legal frameworks, and the importance of building collaborative relationships with stakeholders across industries. As I transition into consultancy, I look forward to using my knowledge and expertise to help businesses tackle complex financial challenges. Whether it's debt restructuring, negotiating favorable settlements, or providing strategic guidance on asset management, I am here to offer customized solutions that align with your organization's goals. In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, effective management of distressed assets can be the key to maintaining stability and driving growth. If you’re navigating tough financial waters and need experienced guidance, I’d be honored to support your journey toward recovery and success. Let’s connect and explore how we can achieve remarkable results together. #Consulting #AssetRecovery #DebtNegotiation #RiskManagement #FinancialSolutions #Leadership

1

Wrapping up a productive three-day trip to New York, where Florian Hofer and I engaged with seven US-based Private Debt managers. Our agenda included two advisory board meetings, two annual general meetings, an on-site due diligence, and multiple updates with both current managers and potential partners. Discussions covered a range of key topics including macroeconomic developments, US economic trends, M&A activity, competition in private debt, and middle-market financing structures. Here are some key takeaways: 📌Fundraising and Manager Consolidation: The size of funds continues to play a crucial role in today’s market, with large managers setting new fundraising records, while smaller players face extended cycles. Market consolidation is accelerating, but not all mergers benefit investors. 📌M&A Activity: Managers are optimistic about increasing M&A activity, especially with potential interest rate cuts and a post-election boost. 📌Regulatory Impact: Stricter banking regulations have led to lower activity of corporate banks in the US, creating more opportunities for private debt to step in and gain market share. 📌Return Expectations: The mid-market remains an attractive space, with well-differentiated GPs delivering strong returns. 📌Outlook for 2024: US private debt managers are anticipating a record year, with robust pipelines and a resurgent M&A environment.

122

If you think monetary policy operates with long and variable lags, just consider foreign policy. A recent editorial of mine covering the failure of the US engagement policy -- the return to containment policy -- and how "containment" is a nice word for proxy wars. https://lnkd.in/gfaARS3F Geopolitics Operates with Long and Variable Lags | Chief Investment Officer (ai-cio.com)

34

LTX recently sponsored the Fixed Income Leaders Summit USA Connect conference for the third consecutive year! We connected with many clients and other senior buy-side leaders and hosted an AI workshop with Dwayne Middleton where we discussed: - Using AI to "converse" with multiple datasets and models simultaneously - How to architect a system that is data-secure and compliant - When and how to measure the success of AI initiatives - How the emergence of AI is changing the profile of a fixed-income trader Learn more about the event http://spklr.io/6041xjMD #TradeSmarter

1

Tuesday, June 11 from 5-8pm at Clifton Larson Allen, One Grand Central Place at 60 East 42nd Street, Suite 5100 New York, NY. Discussion on new trends in ESG including the new SEC Climate Disclosure Rule, concerns about greenwashing and greenhushing, the role of net zero targets (can we really get there?) and the impact of EU reporting requirements on US businesses. The panel will discuss if ESG is here to stay or if a new era of responsible investing / corporate responsibility is taking hold. https://lnkd.in/g7_erNbE

4

One of my favorite topics to talk about with clients is Infrastructure. The last golden age for infrastructure in the United States was during the Eisenhower administration when the national interstate highway system was created. As we enter the era of "artificial intelligence", I believe we are entering a new golden age for infrastructure in the US (and around the world). In the opening episode of our new quarterly investment series "Hard Hats, Shovels, & Lunch Pails," my colleague Sean McCann, CFA and I discuss the critical nature of infrastructure and the exciting opportunity set that awaits investors willing to allocate capital to the infrastructure asset class. Schneider Downs Wealth Management Advisors, LP Schneider Downs

20

2 Comments

Mergermarket spoke with Moelis’s Justin Craig following Mars’ announced acquisition of Kellanova, the largest food sector deal in North America in nearly a decade. Justin notes that the rise of weight loss medications and stricter antitrust regulations could impact further M&A in snacks, but this deal may still signal a resurgence in food industry dealmaking. #MergersAndAcquisitions #FoodIndustry #IndustryInsight Click to read the full article: https://bit.ly/4gd8Rtt

2

What does the post-pandemic era of “flouted rules” mean for bond investors? My colleague Jeff Rosenberg sheds light on the unique characteristics of today’s economy and how the team is navigating possible challenges to bond performance and diversification potential. Read the outlook here: https://1blk.co/3NHS0lz #SystematicFixedIncome #Bonds #MonetaryPolicy

31

📣 I’m thrilled to announce the launch of our FINTRX Endowment & Foundation Data Suite! 🚀 This new release includes detailed profiles, investment strategies, and key contact information for over 5,500 endowment and foundation records… New data includes: 🔹 Comprehensive insights into the most active endowment & foundation LP’s 🔹 Detailed information on key investment decision-makers and investment committee members 🔹 In-depth analysis of investment strategies and allocation trends Our new E&F data suite is purpose built to empower our users to: 🔹 Source capital from leading endowment & foundation firms 🔹 Conduct targeted outreach to key decision-makers 🔹 Consolidate their investment data needs into one unified platform 🔹 Gain a deeper understanding of investment strategies and trends within leading endowment & foundation LP’s 🔹 Unlock relationships & warm introduction opportunities within the E&F ecosystems This launch comes on the heels of the recent release of our Personalized Rep Data Suite, further solidifying our commitment to driving better outcomes for our growing customer base. More exciting release announcements coming soon... 🚀 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eRGQ4xNF #endowments #foundations #investordata #fintrx

111

9 Comments