The Yield

‘You don’t have to be a genius to succeed in business.’ But what does it take instead? In this episode of The Yield, Peter Kerr joins with David Kronfeld for a conversation about the venture capital industry and the latest ongoings related to investing in the software, IT, and communications markets. David is an experienced venture capital investor and telecommunications industry executive with more than 40 years of experience. He founded JK&B Capital in 1996 and prior to that, was a general partner at Boston Capital Ventures (BCV), where he focused on making venture capital investments in companies within the communications and software industries.

[1:25] David’s inspiration for writing Remarkable: Proven Insights to Accelerate Your Career. 

[6:55] Insights into career acceleration and advice on how to succeed. 

[10:55] ‘You don’t have to be a genius to succeed in business.’

[15:45] Increasing your productivity and visibility in any industry. 

[17:59] How important are your network and interpersonal communication skills? 

[24:05] The tools that can help you succeed in a digital workplace. 

[26:27] Innovation in venture capitalism.

[30:26] Understanding your own strengths and weaknesses. 

[32:46] David’s next book will address venture capitalism, entrepreneurs and upper management. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

In this bonus episode of The Yield, Peter Kerr is joined by former light heavyweight WBC champion and Yieldstreet’s latest brand ambassador Joe “The Billionaire Boxer” Fournier for a discussion about entrepreneurship and financial training in and outside of the boxing ring. Joe is a British entrepreneur and professional boxer with businesses in the fitness, nightclub, and boxing industries. Joe rose to prominence after selling the fitness business he had founded to a FTSE 100 company. He also owns a chain of nightclubs operating under the Bonbonniere trademark.

Click here to subscribe and listen: Podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[1:20] The inspiring journey that led Joe to boxing and business. 

[8:10] Training or talent — what it takes to be a champion.

[10:58] Would Joe rather get punched in the chin or in the gut? 

[12:00] Building a business, a brand, and a billion dollar portfolio all start with the same thing. 

[19:57] Expanding business, trusting your gut and earning a place as a market leader.

[24:12] Unique life experiences have the potential to provide unique opportunities. 

[27:30] The importance of investing in yourself. 

[33:28] Taking control of what you can control no matter what comes your way. 

[41:18] Passion or business sense- which one controls Joe’s investment decisions? 

[44:38] Final words of advice from The Billionaire Boxer. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

Have you ever thought about refinancing your auto loan? With current market trends, technology advancements and the potential for increased savings, it’s something that more and more consumers are taking advantage of. In this episode of The Yield, Peter Kerr is joined by Chris Speltz for a conversation about how technology is changing the way consumers approach refinancing. Chris serves as Executive Chairman & Chairman of the Board of The Savings Group, the new parent company of RateGenius and AUTOPAY. He has over two decades of experience in the industry and has also held senior finance and managerial positions with Societe Generale and Comerica Bank.

[2:00] The aims of the merger of AUTOPAY and RateGenius.

[4:35] What can consumers expect from The Savings Group?

[8:56] Common reasons consumers fail to seek out better interest rates on their auto loans.

[11:02] How exactly to cash in on increasing equity in used cars.

[15:28] The balance between supply and demand for cars is off due to the demand for unavailable chips.

[18:07] The future of auto loan refinancing in the wake of the financial global crisis.

[20:05] The health of the average consumer has greatly improved over the last 18 months.

[24:33] What role do credit unions play in today’s thriving savings and loan landscape?

[25:46] An overview of current federal rates and their impact on consumer debts.

[31:50] A look at future opportunities that will be offered by The Savings Group.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

If your knee jerk reaction to every dip in the market is to sell, this episode of The Yield has some advice that you need to hear.  Join Peter Kerr, CFA, and Michael Ehrlich for a discussion about the resulting changes caused by innovation within financial markets. Michael is an Associate Professor of Finance at New Jersey Institute of Technology and focuses on financial markets and  institutions with an emphasis on market failures. He has written about the consequences of financial market innovation and is Associate Director of the Leir Center for Financial Bubble Research. In this discussion they examine the opportunities of a loose monetary policy backdrop as well as the risks that are bubbling under the surface. 

[2:00] Michael highlights his journey of academic entrepreneurship and his involvement in cutting edge trading moves. 

[6:48] The definition, consequences and risks of arbitration. 

[11:06] Current innovations have the potential to present risk to today’s financial market. 

[17:10] The mistakes that led to the fall of Long Term Management Capital. 

[19:35] Common reactions that inexperienced investors have to unexpected dips in the market. 

[21:40] Some of the risks that are bubbling up now, and how investors should think about them.

[26:09] A more strategic approach to weathering the next market downturn. 

[31:40] Common mistakes that are unique to retail investors. 

[34:08] The impact that the news should have (or not have) on your perception of risk. 

[37:05] It’s not a bad thing to take a risk- when you know you’re taking a risk. 

[39:20] The structural inefficiencies of ETFs, SIVs and other financial innovations during periods of market stress. 

[47:52] Michael’s take on how to approach the market with long and short views. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

 In this bonus episode of The Yield, Peter Kerr, CFA, Director of Product Marketing for Yieldstreet, is joined by John Wuestling and J.D. Hall from Greenspring Associates, a $13B venture capital firm, for a conversation around venture capital investing, current market opportunities and why companies are staying private for longer.

Please note: On September 20, 2021, StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP), completed its previously announced acquisition of Greenspring Associates.

[1:19] Greenspring Associates — an overview and an announcement. 

[3:30] The traditional life cycle of a venture capital investment company, from idea to IPO.

[6:27] How has venture capital investing changed in the last two decades?

[9:08] Why might a founder want to stay private longer?

[10:55] Unpacking the $60 billion secondary investment market.

[14:40] Opportunities that are available within previously launched funds.

[16:26] The pros and cons of the SPAC market.

[19:46] Greenspring’s competitive advantage starts with the power of its platform.

[24:40] The metrics that help with understanding valuation in terms of market capitalism.

[28:04] Market niche and investment specialization is not the main goal at Greenspring.

[33:25] Shifts that are happening in the venture capital market from the investor side.

[36:06] The truth about the unicorn of VC investing.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

The impact and possibilities with decentralized finance and digital banking continue to expand. In this episode of The Yield, Peter Kerr, CFA, and Director of Product Marketing for Yieldstreet, and Jason Blick, CEO of EQIBank, join to discuss the evolution of digital banking. From digital banking for corporate and private clients to decentralized protocols for pooled lending and borrowing for crypto and stablecoins, Peter and Jason cover a wide array of topics

[1:39] EQIBank aims to provide a global digital bank, and it’s in high demand around the world.

[4:00] Evaluating underbanked countries and meeting their needs.

[5:17] The crypto space in a global banking ecosystem from a corporate perspective.

[7:45] Is there a demand for crypto in non-banking corporations?

[9:02] The main differentiators and licensing positions that companies offering crypto to their clients require.

[11:50] Balancing high-touch customer service needs with quality digital orientation.

[14:27] Which companies in Africa is EQIBank currently servicing?

[15:31] Are US client funds held in correspondence banks offshore?

[17:34] The impact that the size of the industry has on bitcoin and cryptocurrency offerings.

[21:10] Is DeFi (decentralized finance) posing a threat to centralized entities? 

[24:50] Key differences regarding retail investors in the digital banking world.

[26:59] Possibilities that may appear in the future of DeFi and finance.

[28:44] DeFi and EQIBank resources, and is there a realistic alternative to FDIC insurance in traditional retail banking?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

When you hear the words inclusion and resilience, do you think about the future of banking? According to this episode of The Yield, you should. Join Peter Kerr, CFA as he sits down with Sultan Meghji, Chief Innovation Officer at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to discuss the future of the Financial Sector.  Prior to joining the FDIC, Sultan spent his entire career in technology. Now, his mission is to bring the innovations of the future to the FDIC to ensure U.S. Banks are run safely and soundly, as well as inclusively.

[1:43] The 4 pillars in the mission of the Chief Innovation Officer at the FDIC illustrate that the future of banking is in very good hands.

[5:10] A high-level overview of the FDIC consumer mission and their relationship with the Federal Reserve.

[9:25] Increasing inclusion and serving the underbanked starts with removing the biases that put the underbanked at a disadvantage.

[13:08] Does banking consolidation have a negative impact on the underbanked? It might, depending on where you live.

[17:32] Fintechs and startups might like to bend tradition, but they’re still playing by the rules. Does this result in regulatory problems or just human problems?

[19:51] Resilience in the face of threats to consumer data is more essential than ever.

[23:20] Cyber security, climate change and the other problems that are keeping Sultan up at night.

[26:14] Challenges of transitioning from the speed of the private sector to the much slower public sector.

[31:17] What does the future of banking look like from within the FDIC?

[33:20] Different pathways consumers can take to avoid the biases that the FDIC is working to remove.

[38:00] Countries that are getting regulatory banking rights are inspiring change in the US.

[40:10] Sultan’s thoughts on NFTs and the exciting future of fintech.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

The real estate market is experiencing historic lows and incredible demand. What does that mean for investors? Join Peter Kerr, CFA, as he sits down with Adil Hasan, Associate Director of Real Estate, to discuss the low-interest-rate environment and what it means for the market, especially real estate. The past six-plus months have been marked by a heated real estate market, high inflation, low interest rates, and market volatility. Where do we go from here?

[2:29] The difference between single asset CMBS and the main focus at Yieldstreet.

[5:06] Yieldstreet’s evolution from bridge lending to higher-yielding lending opportunities.

[7:34] How capital structure works based on the risk assumed by investors.

[9:30] Bridge loans, construction loans, and the life cycle of a CRE loan.

[14:14] Key differences between private and public loan markets.

[15:38] The positive and negative impact of low interest rates on the real estate market.

[18:03] The evolution of the CRE equity platform at Yieldstreet.

[23:00] Fundamentals and metrics when evaluating potential returns.

[26:55] Rent or own — the demand for each and the effect COVID-19 has had on both.

[30:50] How to know you’re paying the right price for an investment.

[32:04] Current trends in the real estate market.

[32:54] How to follow in Adil’s real estate career footsteps.

[35:10] A look into what’s coming up next in the real estate asset class.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

Diversification is a key to smart investing at every level. On this bonus episode of The Yield, Milind Mehere and Spencer Dinwiddie take a deep dive into what it means to pursue financial freedom, the importance of financial literacy, and how money has played a role in Spencer’s life.  Washington Wizards point guard, Pac-12 all conference honoree, Calaxy founder, sneaker designer and entrepreneur, Spencer shares more on the importance of learning to manage large sums of money overnight as a budding NBA All-Star, and when he started to plan for life after basketball.

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[1:15] Widdie’s basketball, entrepreneur, creator and philanthropic background. 

[3:32] A balanced approach to the calculated investing of an NBA salary. 

[5:56] Who first inspired Widdie to invest his time, talents and money? 

[8:32] The importance of diversification in your investments. 

[10:45] The what, where, how and why of investing in startups. 

[14:48] Why does Widdie continually expand his business and investment knowledge base?

[17:28] Widdie’s motivation and mentors when investing in entrepreneurial ventures. 

[19:33] The importance of philanthropy and giving back to your community. 

[21:05] Lessons learned from the Brooklyn Nets and the Detroit Pistons. 

[23:44] What’s next for Spencer Dinwiddle? 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet

The buzzwords are everywhere - cryptocurrencies, blockchain, decentralized finance.  But what do they all mean and what role can they play in your financial future? On this episode of The Yield, Yieldstreet’s Director of Product Marketing, Peter Kerr, CFA, and Head of Institutional Business at Aave, Ajit Tripathi, CFA discuss the push towards decentralized finance. Ajit leads institutional growth, strategy, and partnerships at Aave to enable institutions to participate in decentralized finance, and in their conversation he breaks down the key players in decentralized finance, highlighting the key details and differences between bitcoin, etherium, blockchain technologies and more.    

Click here to subscribe and listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yield/id1527659260

Key Takeaways:

[1:37] Ajit details his transition into the world of Fintech and cryptocurrencies.

[6:12] Defining crypto, blockchain and decentralized finance. 

[12:18] The difference between bitcoin, etherium and other coins. 

[15:05] What might coins, blockchain and decentralized finance look like in 10 years? 

[19:54] How to include crypto products in your investment portfolio. 

[21:47] The mission at Aave starts with creating a more effective market for liquidity. 

[24:13] A breakdown of crypto-lending, stable coins and smart contracts. 

[28:33] Breaking technologies in the FinTech world. 

[32:20] Resolving the friction between regulatory entities and these evolving concepts. 

[36:52] “Get your hands dirty and have fun.” 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Yieldstreet