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

Tuesday, May 12, 2026
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Can America Still Deliver The American Dream?
Join the Hoover Institution for a special conversation as part of The Ideas That Made U.S.: Dialogues on Freedom, our year-long series marking… Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
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Can Civic Education Be Liberal?
The Alliance for Civics in the Academy hosts "Can Civic Education be Liberal?" with Melinda Zook, Joseph Knippenberg, Benjamin Storey, and Dan… Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Thursday, May 14, 2026
The Peril And Promise Of Local Journalism In American Democracy
You are cordially invited to join the Hoover Institution Center for Revitalizing American Institutions on Thursday, May 14, from 4:00 to 4:50 PM PT… Hauck Auditorium, David and Joan Traitel Building, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
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