PARTICIPANTS

John Cogan, Joe Grundfest, Ed Ifft , Dan Kessler, Ron McKinnon, Ken Scott, John Shoven, George Shultz, John Taylor, and Johannes Stroebel

ISSUES DISCUSSED

Dick Kovacevich, former Chair and CEO of Wells Fargo, addressed the issue: “What should we have learned from the financial crisis so it doesn’t happen again?” He discussed risk-management practices at top financial institutions during the crisis along with ways to change the culture and inventive system. He examined the capital adequacy and liquidity problems at many banks during the panic in the fall of 2008.

Kovacevich also considered the TARP, raising the question about the effects on banks with adequate capital that were forced to take TARP money. Kovacevich also addressed the implementation of stress-tests, arguing that these should be ongoing procedures and not preannounced. Other issues discussed include the role of Fannie and Freddie, of credit rating agencies, and the potential impacts of the Dodd-Frank bill.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 4:30 PM Pacific Time
Lisa Blaydes and Samuel Helfont
Book Talk: "Ba‘thist Iraq Through Archives Reflections, Explorations, and Opportunities" by Lisa Blaydes and Samuel Helfont
The Hoover History Lab and Hoover Institution Library & Archives are co-hosting a hybrid event with Lisa Blaydes and Samuel Helfont to discuss… Shultz Auditorium, George P. Shultz Building
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 6:30 PM ET
Markus Wolf
Book Talk: "The Troika: The Troika: A Story of Three Families, Friendship, and the Cold War"
The Hoover Institution Library & Archives is partnering with the International Spy Museum to co-host a hybrid event on "The Troika", Markus Wolf'… International Spy Museum (700 L'Enfant Plaza, SW Washington DC 20024)
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Kay Udea leading a discussion during the Second international workshop on Japanese diaspora 2022
第4 回ジャパニーズ・ディアスポラ国際ワークショップ
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
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