What's the most selfless act you've seen someone doing in finance?

I was just reading about monks and their selfless lifes. It made me think about how this industry is ruthless almost by definition. Surely there must be some selfless people in finance though, do you know anyone or someone who's done a genuine good thing while being in IB? Would love to hear your stories

39 Comments
 

as time passes, questions asked on WSO are growing increasingly weirdly specific

 
"CRE" I post on WSO.

You, the reader, are enlightened.

You know, I really just do it for entertainment value. You are a better man than I.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

for our executive team to talk to us pleb juniors to donate our time and money to solve systemic racism and shit for almost an entire 2 minutes! then going back to their bajillion dollar lifestyle. was super generous and I felt personally impacted.

but seriously fuck the system of people prescribing generosity without doing it themselves or pandering. at the same time, I’d do it too if I was in their shoes (gotta say something).

on an extremely serious note the IB:PE world is really tough to break into and succeed because it requires so much relationship building and not screwing up. the nicest things I’ve seen are people taking the time out of their day or going out of their way to help and mentor someone else out, either just opening their door or actively mentoring and working on things that improve the lives of kids who will never give it back but will hopefully pay it forward. it’s small and incredibly big, and happens so much and we all benefit from it in some degree. feedback and advice that was unsolicited but helpful, etc. someone is always paying it forward and that is the best thing about this industry. the hardest part about it being the most rewarding too. god bless America.

 

Welles was a big motivation for me to pursue my MSF at BC and I referenced him in my essay to the school - thank you for the reminder to be more selfless.

Few players recall big pots they have won, strange as it seems, but every player can remember with remarkable accuracy the outstanding tough beats of his career.
 

I make a point to watch the Man in the Red Bandana every September 11th - cry everytime.

Few players recall big pots they have won, strange as it seems, but every player can remember with remarkable accuracy the outstanding tough beats of his career.
 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

The people buying my OTM options, so I can make some theta. Wholeheartedly thank you

 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

Back when I was in undergrad, one of the senior brother in my fraternity took an hour every weekday afternoon and got all the pledges interested in finance and consulting, and walked us through accounting basics and case studies. He didn't have to, but he said one of the alums did that for him, and he was hoping to pass it on. He was one of those crazy smart guys who played a sport, drank as much as possible, was involved in student government and so many clubs, and still got a MF PE offer. I'm eternally grateful for that, I wasn't sure if I wanted to pursue IB, but thanks to him, I was prepared when recruiting rolled around. It's not as serious as someone giving their life for another, but that's one of the nicest things someone has ever done for me, to give away 5 hours a week in their senior year to help those who might need it later down the line.

 

Our lord and savior John Bogle who founded Vanguard probably ended up doing the most for people in the long run by decreasing the cost of mutual funds/ETFs

Quant (ˈkwänt) n: An expert, someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing.
 

Alumni from my school is really successful - BB, then top PE, then started his own hedge fund. He offered "internships" to anyone who was interested this summer - I sent him an email asking to join him and he said sure. we have been calling every week as he teaches me the ropes of pulling together a great proposal (he's an activist investor). I've never learned from someone so experienced and successful so it's really incredible. Hope i can be like that one day

 
"Prospect in IB-M&A" Alumni from my school is really successful -

It sure sounds like it. The word 'alumni' is actually plural. So it is technically 'Alumni from my school 'are' really successful -'

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

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