Ortenca Aliaj

In this insightful discussion, Robert Smith and Ortenca Aliaj, both Financial Times editors, unravel the shocking collapse of First Brands Group, a small auto parts supplier with a staggering $12 billion in hidden debt. They explore the opaque financing tactics that obscured financial risks and discuss the lack of due diligence by lenders. From Patrick James's mysterious background to the broader implications for private credit, they raise critical concerns about the future of funding practices in a post-2008 financial landscape.

Sujeet Indap, Wall Street editor at the Financial Times, teams up with Ortenca Aliaj, Banking editor at the Financial Times, to delve into the fierce rivalry for junior talent between private equity and Wall Street banks. They discuss a controversial recruiting practice causing firms to target graduates earlier than ever. The conversation reveals insights into the shifting dynamics in finance, including the ethical concerns surrounding accelerated hiring and the impact of JP Morgan’s new policies on the future landscape of both sectors.

In this insightful discussion, Brooke Masters, the U.S. financial editor at the Financial Times, and Ortenca Aliaj, banking editor at FT, explore the implications of Donald Trump's potential second term on the banking sector. They analyze regulatory shifts, market reactions, and strategic adaptations of banks in the face of changing policies. The conversation touches on the unpredictability of Trump's governance, the future of Environmental, Social, and Governance standards, and emerging trends like the rise of private credit in finance.