The Wall Street Skinny

Send us a textIn this episode, we sit down with Olga Gorodetsky, a Director in Capital Markets at Fannie Mae, for an in-depth conversation about the role of Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) in the U.S. housing finance system. Olga walks us through the history and mission of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, explaining how these institutions provide liquidity and stability to the mortgage market. We explore how mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are created, who trades them, and why they are essential to the broader financial ecosystem. Olga also offers a clear explanation of what happened during the 2008 financial crisis that led to the conservatorship of the GSEs, what conservatorship means in practice, and how it continues to shape the debate over housing finance reform. Finally, we discuss the current state of the mortgage and capital markets, including recent policy developments and headlines that are evolving in realtime. Whether you’re an investor, a homeowner, or simply curious about how mortgages connect to Wall Street, this episode offers timely insights and expert perspective on one of the most important — and often misunderstood — parts of the U.S. economy.Shop our LIBRARY of Self Paced Online Courses HEREJoin the Fixed Income Sales and Trading waitlist HERE Our content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Send us a textWondering if you need the CFA to break into banking? Curious what the SIE is, or whether a CPA helps you land a role in private equity? You're not alone—exam questions are by far the most common DMs we get. So in this episode, we finally break it all down.We’re joined by Joyce Schnur, Senior VP at Kaplan, who walks us through the differences between licensing (SIE, Series 7, 63, 79) and credentials (CFA, CPA, CFP, CAIA), who actually needs them, and how they impact your finance career. Whether you're entering investment banking, sales & trading, asset management, or wealth advisory, we cover which exams matter—and which ones don’t. We also talk exam structure, pass rates, and how new rules may let you fund prep with a 529 plan.Plus, we dive into the latest market drama—TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out), bond market crowding, and the beauty M&A boom featuring Hailey Bieber’s near-billion-dollar deal. As always, it’s markets, career advice, and pop culture—through a Wall Street lens.For more information about Kaplan, check them out HERETo connect with Joyce Schnur on LinkedIn, find here HEREShop our LIBRARY of Self Paced Online Courses HEREJoin the Fixed Income Sales and Trading waitlist HERE Our content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Send us a textWe’re back and breaking down Season 2, Episode 7 of Industry: “Lone Wolf and Cub.” This one is dense with real finance concepts—starting with Harper, Eric, and Rishi's attempt to “hit a bid away” and pitch themselves as a ready-made desk to rival firms. We get into how traders actually get paid, why comp guarantees are risky, and what it means to bring “client color” as your leverage in a job switch. Plus: why Rishi’s pitch as a prop-style trader who embraces client flow is more old school than it sounds—and why that still matters.We also break down how sales and trading teams actually work, the dynamics of headhunter-driven moves versus warm intros, and the very real consequences of interviewing without an offer in hand. For anyone trying to understand what’s real and what’s dramatized when it comes to switching firms, negotiating comp, and building leverage on the Street, this episode is basically a case study.On the character side, we unpack the growing tension between Robert, Nicole, and Venetia—and how the firm (and culture) handles client misconduct. Plus, Yaz is clearly in deeper than she realizes, and Daria pulls off what might be the best power play of the series. We wrap with our take on who’s up, who’s down, and what this episode gets right (and wrong) about how finance careers really work.Sign up for our Excel and Financial Modeling Masterclass May 29 at 12pm HERE (or if you're still in the 48 hour window, register to access the replay!)Shop our LIBRARY of Self Paced Online Courses HEREJoin the Fixed Income Sales and Trading waitlist HERE Our content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Send us a textIn this episode of The Wall Street Skinny, we sit down with Scott Bok, Chairman and former CEO of Greenhill & Co. and author of Surviving Wall Street: A Tale of Triumph, Tragedy and Timing. Scott shares stories from his remarkable career journey—from big law at Wachtell Lipton to investment banking at Morgan Stanley, to ultimately leading one of the most respected elite boutiques on Wall Street. We talk through the rise of the elite boutique model, the decision to go public, and why Greenhill ultimately sold to Mizuho—plus Scott’s candid take on private equity poaching, career longevity, and the myth of the “Goldman discount.”We also dive into the mechanics of university governance, the rise of endowment taxation, and Scott’s experience as Chairman of the Board at the University of Pennsylvania during one of the most tumultuous moments in higher Ed history. He offers an insider's perspective on free speech debates, board dynamics, DEI backlash, and how elite universities are being pulled into the center of a national cultural reckoning. Scott helps unpack how these issues intersect with broader questions of institutional control, public trust, and economic influence.Finally, Jen and Kristen cover the latest market headlines—from the Moody’s U.S. downgrade to the recent 20-year Treasury auction and what it says (or doesn’t say) about investor sentiment. We also share an exciting announcement: to celebrate crossing 300k followers, we’re hosting a FREE live Excel + financial modeling masterclass on May 29th at 12pm EST—perfect for interns, new hires, or anyone looking to sharpen their skills. Register now to join live or get access to the 48-hour replay!Register HEREShop our LIBRARY of Self Paced Online Courses HEREJoin the Fixed Income Sales and Trading waitlist HERE Our content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Send us a textWe’re thrilled to welcome Congressman Seth Magaziner — a longtime friend from our high school and college days — for a conversation about the intersection of finance, policy, and politics. We break down the proposed tax bill currently moving through Congress, the state of U.S. debt and deficits, and insider trading laws for elected officials, and Seth’s background in finance and public service working as the youngest treasurer of Rhode Island for 8 years.We dive into the details of the proposed $5 trillion tax cuts, $2 trillion spending cuts, and the projected $3–5 trillion increase in debt over the next decade — and what all of this could mean for markets, companies, and investors. We also explore the surprisingly legal practice of members of Congress trading stocks while in office, and Seth’s bipartisan effort to ban it.Shop our LIBRARY of Self Paced Online Courses HEREJoin the Fixed Income Sales and Trading waitlist HERE Our content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Kristen and Jen unveil their exciting new M&A course, blending finance with engaging storytelling. They analyze the Fed's latest monetary policies, clarifying misconceptions around quantitative easing and treasury management. The duo discusses 3G Capital's $9.3 billion bid to privatize Skechers, highlighting trends in corporate privatization during market instability. Amidst all this, they share personal updates and entertainment highlights, promising a lively mix of finance and fun.

Dive into the latest market dynamics, where a GDP contraction reveals fascinating implications of tariffs and supply chain stresses. Discover key insights for turning internships into full-time finance roles, emphasizing the significance of social skills and strategic networking. Learn about evolving career paths in finance, the shifting prestige of private equity, and how to navigate the internship landscape effectively. This journey offers a blend of practical advice and economic analysis, perfect for aspiring Wall Street professionals.

Political tensions heat up as former President Trump clashes with Fed Chair Jerome Powell, affecting market stability. The discussion dives into the falling U.S. dollar and its implications for inflation and global trade. Yale's massive $6 billion sale of private equity raises eyebrows on liquidity challenges in endowments. Insights on 'Operation Twist' shed light on its effects versus traditional monetary policies. Lastly, the complexities of currency wars and the balance of power in the U.S.-China economic relationship are examined, revealing the stakes for all involved.

Send us a textThis week, we break down the tension between Jerome Powell and Donald Trump—and what it actually means for monetary policy. If you listened to Powell’s latest remarks at the Economic Club of Chicago, you may not have thought much of it, but anyone knows how to decode the Fed’s deliberately vague words noticed unmistakably hawkish tone. We explain how to read between the lines of Fed speak, what it really means when the Fed prioritizes price stability over growth. We also get into why Trumps remarks on Truth Social led some to be concerned he's considering firing the Fed Chair... we discuss what that would mean for the credibility of U.S. markets.We dive into the economics of elite universities and the real impact of pulling federal research funding. We explain how endowments actually work, where that money goes, and why cutting research dollars isn’t just about punishing a school—it risks gutting innovation across biotech, national defense, and the U.S. economy more broadly. Finally, we unpack the return of the Big Tech breakup debate. With Meta and Google back in court over antitrust issues, we explain what a corporate spinoff actually is, how it works, and why breaking up a giant like Meta might help your portfolio. From conglomerate discounts to split-offs and subsidiary IPOs, we walk through the corporate finance mechanics that could drive the next big move in tech.Shop our LIBRARY of Self Paced Online Courses HEREJoin the Fixed Income Sales and Trading waitlist HERE Our content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Send us a textThere has been some speculation that the reason for "chaos in the bond markets" isn't loss of confidence in the US but rather the result of an unwind in "the basis trade" leading hedge funds to blow up and causing yield spreads to widen. To explore this theory we need to get super granular. We go deep into the relationship between cash bonds, futures, and interest rate swaps—and explain why so many market participants prefer the derivatives over buying Treasuries outright. We also walk through how structural leverage, repo financing, and margin exposure interact in this high-stakes trade, and why even a small dislocation can trigger major losses when trades are levered 50 to 1 (or more). Don't worry, we do keep it accessible—even if you’ve never heard of the Treasury Bond Basis book or you’re not fluent in swaps. HOWEVER, this episode does assume a basic understanding of the bond markets and is definitely "advanced" for those not fluent in fixed income speak, so you might need to listen a few times like Kristen. Finally, we tackle what the Fed can and can’t do in the face of this volatility, whether quantitative easing or regulatory changes could help, and why some argue the blowups are a symptom of something bigger—not the cause. Whether you're a market pro or just trying to understand what all the chaos in the headlines actually means, this episode gives you the tools to make sense of it.Shop our LIBRARY of Self Paced Online Courses HEREJoin the Fixed Income Sales and Trading waitlist HERE Our content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.