The Wharton School gathered leading thinkers in academia, practice, and government for the inaugural Future of Finance Forum on October 17-18, 2023. Roundtable sessions and fireside chats explored the most pressing current issues in finance under the theme, “Paradigm Shift: Powering with Innovation & Financial Technology.”
Roundtable discussion on banking participants Eric Boughner, Richard Green, Amias Gerety, Jelena McWilliams, Arthur J. Murton, Sharon S. Yang, and Richard Vague. Pictured on the far left is Itay Goldstein, Wharton Finance Department Chair, and on the far right, Sarah Hammer, executive director at Wharton.
Elevating Research Impact
The forum was chaired by Sarah Hammer, executive director at Wharton. A series of roundtables and fireside chats were moderated by the faculty directors of Wharton’s finance research centers, including:
- Itay Goldstein of the Wharton Initiative on Financial Policy and Regulation
- Burcu Esmer of the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program
- Chris Geczy of the Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center for Quantitative Financial Research
- David Musto of the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance
Additional Wharton and Penn faculty speakers included Professors Cary Coglianese and Kevin Werbach.
Roundtable Summaries
Knowledge at Wharton, the business journal from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania published these summaries from the Future of Finance roundtable discussions:
- “How the CFTC Stays on Top of Financial Market Innovations” featuring Sarah Hammer, executive director at Wharton.
- “AI in Finance: The Promise and Potential Pitfalls” featuring Chris Geczy of the Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center for Quantitative Financial Research
- “How Digital Payment Systems Can Promote Adoption” featuring David Musto of the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance
- “How Financial Stability Hinges on Bank Business Models” featuring Itay Goldstein of the Wharton Initiative on Financial Policy and Regulation
Opening remarks were made by Senior Vice Dean of Research, Centers, and Academic Initiatives Joao Gomes, who noted Wharton’s role as the global leader in financial research and education.
Sarah Hammer moderates a discussion with H. Rodgin “Rodge” Cohen of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.
New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Adrienne Harris, Wharton Professor Burcu Esmer, and Sarah Hammer.
Addressing Timely and Intricate Questions in Finance
Discussions encompassed the post-banking crisis landscape and the new order of the global banking ecosystem, explored the global framework and existential risks associated with artificial intelligence, dissected the most promising avenues for sustainable investments, scrutinized the complex policy matters surrounding digital assets and digital currencies, and weighed the implications of an instant payment system on financial inclusion.
Additional speakers included CFTC Commissioner Caroline Pham, former CFTC chairmen J. Christopher Giancarlo, Timothy Massad, and Heath Tarbert, Time “Hero of the Planet” Richard Sandor, and Bob Litterman of Kepos Capital. For the full list, please visit the event website.