Today's Top Bankers on The Street. Who are they?
I've recently been reading a bunch of books: M&A Titans, Barbarians at the Gate, Den of Thieves, Predators Ball, Big Deal: 2000 and Beyond, Rainmaker....among others.
It has me wondering. Who are today's top bankers? Are there any legends-in-the-making out there currently? Is this question even relevant being that banking as an industry in general has completely changed?
These books all clearly outlined the top guns back in the 1980's era (give or take). Perhaps bankers will never be as influential again. Looking at Drexel's alumni it appears that anyone who worked there went on to become billionaires (exaggeration - kinda)...perhaps they inherited some of Milken's genius (or connections?). Anyways...
Why is this question relevant? Because rather than go after prestige alone (Goldman, JPM, Morgan), I'd like to align myself with a top banker and follow him wherever he goes. I view this as the best strategy to my long term success in banking (assuming my desire is to stay in banking).
Whom do you consider to be the new deal-makers?
Here are a few suggestions to (hopefully) get the conversation going. Feel free to rip them to shreds:
1. Ken Moelis
2. Frank Quattrone
3. Sage Kelly (Kinda died off)
4. Kurt Simon
5. Stephan Feldgoise
Definitely Ken Moelis and I. Moelis was able to get into the Saudi Aramco deal, inspite of the government's usual dealings with JP Morgan. As for myself, well, you know. If you don't know, I'm sure there's a biography of me somewhere out there...
A few I could think of, no particular order, just the big names. I would like people to add to the list as well
Paul j Taubman
Allen Schwartz
Roger Altman
Definitely PJT and Altman. And I believe you work in Guggenheim. A simple game of 'one is not like the others' narrows the field.
Not sure if someone working at Guggenheim would misspell Alan Schwartz, unless it's a ploy to make you think that they don't work at Guggenheim...
Why Ken Moelis is so good? Anybody knows? Apparently he is not advertising the secret of his success. Very curious.
Founded Moelis. Raided UBS LA for their best people. Created a top notch bank within 8 years, and netted some of the best advisory deals.
I'm surprised Michael Kramer wasn't mentioned...I consider him one of the top bankers if not the face of restructuring.
I agree with Ken Moelis. I would also add Aryeh Bourkoff. He is much more niche but he is excellent at what he does
This guy is not a rainmaker but I thought he should be pointed out as I think this is pretty impressive...
"General Electric Co’s (GE.N) healthcare unit said on Monday it would sell its information technology business to private equity firm Veritas Capital for $1.05 billion in cash as it sharpens its focus on smart diagnostics and connected devices........Morgan Stanley and Keval Health are GE’s financial advisers, while Goldman Sachs & Co. and William Blair & Co advised Veritas Capital."
Who the fuck is Keval Health you ask? Good Question! A quick LinkedIn search reveals that Keval Health is one guy by the name of Vishal Gandhi....
A quick scan of this guy's LinkedIn profile reveals he is ~36 having graduated in 2004. Moreover, his entire senior banking career has been spent at boutique MTS Health Partners. For a 36 year old MD, with no senior experience at a BB or EB, running a one-man shop, I'd say this is a very impressive advisory assignment to land. It will be interesting to see if he can keep the momentum going.