Is Your Bank A Zombie?

Morning Monkeys,

The concept of a "Zombie Bank" isn't exactly new, back in 1987 Boston College professor Edward Kane coined the term in response to the S&L crisis to describe banks that are technically insolvent but kept alive via government aid (and dicsussed it in detail in a journal article in Society). For the young, aspiring monkeys, identifying zombie banks is probably worth a little of your time. As every zombie story since the Epic of Gilgamesh has taught us, all zombies must die. A good lesson, but probably not exactly good news for zombie banks.

Does this suggest that every bank that has received government aid is a zombie bank? No, not necessarily, some may become healthy and cease being zombies. But, this is not the case for all of them. History gives us some guidance in how to identify zombie banks with two examples, the S&L crisis in the US, and the Japanese banking crisis during the 90s. In the former example, managers made risky bets, hoping for windfalls to plug the holes, or as Kane put it, "[they] gambled for resurrection." In the latter example, managers hoard cash and make few risky loans, hoping that time will heal all wounds. Anyone looking at Japan over the past 20 years probably doesn't have much faith in this approach.

So, what does everyone think? Who are some potential zombies on Wall St.? Think they'll heal with enough liquidity and time? If not, how/when should we kill them?

 

This article contradicts itself:

mikesswimn:
Morning Monkeys,

...As every zombie story since the Epic of Gilgamesh has taught us, all zombies must die. A good lesson, but probably not exactly good news for zombie banks.

...No, not necessarily, some may become healthy and cease being zombies. ...

My understanding is that you cannot bring a zombie back. Although they can be tamed and kept as friends re: Shawn of the Dead

 
Best Response
MonkeyMath:
This article contradicts itself:
mikesswimn:
Morning Monkeys,

...As every zombie story since the Epic of Gilgamesh has taught us, all zombies must die. A good lesson, but probably not exactly good news for zombie banks.

...No, not necessarily, some may become healthy and cease being zombies. ...

My understanding is that you cannot bring a zombie back. Although they can be tamed and kept as friends re: Shawn of the Dead

Touche sir. Poor wording choices on my part. Let's put it this way:

...As every zombie story since the Epic of Gilgamesh has taught us, all zombies who aren't tamed and kept as friends must die

and

...No, not necessarily, some may become tamed and be able to be kept as pet zombies like in Shaun of the Dead.

Sorry for the confusion.

"My caddie's chauffeur informs me that a bank is a place where people put money that isn't properly invested."
 

Autem cumque eligendi vero voluptate. Enim eaque quia a qui.

Reprehenderit labore sunt iure totam aut odio quis deserunt. Laborum illo aspernatur quo rem. Id rerum nihil accusantium aliquam. Officiis quo in ut laboriosam. Saepe asperiores ratione possimus blanditiis debitis. Nihil fuga atque nobis sed harum recusandae.

Corrupti eos fugit quisquam voluptatum. Dolor voluptatem inventore iste veritatis et.

Placeat occaecati a omnis repudiandae magnam soluta. Et voluptas et tempora. Odit quasi et modi rem maiores architecto rem. Voluptas eum neque aut et laboriosam voluptatum delectus impedit.

"My caddie's chauffeur informs me that a bank is a place where people put money that isn't properly invested."

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners New 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 01 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 24 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners 18 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (92) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (206) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (149) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

โ€œ... thereโ€™s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...โ€

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

โ€œ... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...โ€