Earnings Call, Investor Day
Goldman Sachs at 150: Part 9 – Crisis (2008)
- The industry is expected to continue facing extreme competition resulting in the failure of capable firms.
- Foreign exchange is predicted to become a major, essential, and crucial business segment for Goldman Sachs.
- The firm's organizational structure is anticipated to achieve significant momentum and advancement.
- Long experience dictates that forecasting the future is impossible, and uncertainty regarding market participants' knowledge is inherent.
- The housing market collapse was unanticipated, unprovided for, and far worse and deeper than any prior anticipation.
- The actual housing market adjustment proved neither gradual nor orderly, contrary to prior expectations.
- A crisis is forecasted to shake the global economic system to its core and generate a firestorm in public opinion against the banking sector.
- Goldman Sachs is expected to be the primary target for public blame due to its status as the most successful firm on Wall Street.
- Public resentment is expected to rise regarding Wall Street profits, particularly due to perceptions of bailouts.
- The crisis is expected to test the firm's resilience, requiring adaptation and change.
- The firm intends to address the implications of the crisis for itself and the broader financial system.
- A Business Standards Committee is planned to review every aspect of the firm's operations to identify improvements.
- Leadership is expected to provide clear direction and reassurance that the firm will navigate the crisis successfully.
- Leadership is predicted to maintain a consistent vision for the firm's necessary growth and direction without wavering.
- The firm recognizes a duty to explain its purpose and is expected to increase public outreach and dialogue.