In this episode of Investing In Integrity, Ross Overline speaks with Mike Mayo, Managing Director and head of U.S. large-cap bank research at Wells Fargo Securities. He has spent 30 years as a bank analyst and is the author of “Exile on Wall Street: One Analyst’s Fight to Save the Big Banks From Themselves.”

Mike's influence extends beyond traditional research roles, as he was one of the few analysts who foresaw the 2008 global financial crisis and subsequently testified on its causes to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission in 2010. His contributions to the field have earned him widespread recognition, including accolades such as the Daniel J. Forrestal III Leadership Award for Professional Ethics and Standards of Investment Practice from the CFA Institute.

Mike shares his background and journey into the finance industry, highlighting the challenges he has faced and the importance of staying true to his values. He emphasizes the importance of isolation, initiative, and impact in his work. Together, Ross and Mike discuss the isolation felt by finance professionals and students and how to overcome it, accountability in the financial industry, and leadership in finance.