Craig Coben: How To Build Trust That Lasts

Nov 18, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Craig Coben, former Global Head of Equity Capital Markets and Vice Chairman at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, joins The Blunt Dollar to share insights from a 25-year career at the very top of investment banking.

From raising billions in IPOs and rights issues to writing sharp columns for the Financial Times, Craig’s journey is packed with hard-earned lessons on leadership, competition, and reinvention.

This episode is a must-watch for anyone curious about how to invest, personal finance, or what actually goes on behind major stock market deals. Whether you're an aspiring banker, someone just getting into investing for beginners, or a fan of Warren Buffett investment strategy, you'll take away plenty from Craig’s no-nonsense wisdom.

In this conversation, we cover:

📈 What ECM bankers really do and how Craig climbed to number one in European dealmaking

💡 Why most pitches fail and what great origination looks like in a high-stakes world

🤖 How trust, relationships, and emotional intelligence still beat AI in investment banking

📉 The rise of private capital, and why public markets are struggling to keep up

✍️ Craig’s post-banking pivot to writing, and why angel investing isn’t as easy as it looks

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of a multibillion-dollar IPO, how bankers win and lose deals, or why relationships still matter more than Excel shortcuts, this one’s for you.

Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations.

New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/

Enjoy the episode!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.