Lowell Kraff

Evolving Opportunities in Capital Markets (updated)

Mark Attanasio, Colleen Campbell, Lowell Kraff, Soren Reynertson, Justin Slatky, Cristina Alesci

Panelists including Soren Reinerson, Justin Slacky, and Marc Antonacio debated the existence of a bond market bubble, with dissenting views centering on whether current leverage levels signal an imminent crisis or are merely an artifact of Federal Reserve stimulus. Speakers further analyzed the structural divergence between easily funded large-cap issuers and a middle-market capital vacuum, driven by regulatory pressures on banks and the rising prominence of Business Development Companies. The discussion concluded by identifying key future risks, such as potential interest rate snapbacks, municipal distress in jurisdictions like Detroit, and the pressure on underfunded pensions to accept higher returns through riskier alternative assets.