Financial Stability Amid External Shocks and Weakening Institutions Conference | December 17, 2026

Financial Stability Amid External Shocks and Weakening Institutions

The MS in Finance program at Yeshiva University's Sy Syms School of Business and the Global Interdependence Center invite you to an evening on the evolving landscape of financial stability.

The past decade brought a series of external shocks: the pandemic and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East abruptly disrupted supply chains and real economic activity, at substantial scale. With geopolitical tensions rising, such shocks are likely to become more common. At the same time, the defenses have weakened. Rising government debt, deregulation, and growing political pressure on central banks are wearing away the institutions that aim to mitigate and contain financial risk.

Three distinguished speakers will discuss these shifts:

•  David Kotok, co-founder of Cumberland Advisors and author of The Fed and the Flu, on COVID-19, 
the Fed's response, and what the longer history of pandemics suggests about their lasting economic 
effects.

•  Martin Gruenberg, FDIC chair for nearly a decade across three administrations, on deregulation, 
regulatory independence, and the lessons of the Silicon Valley Bank failure.

•  Bill Kennedy, CEO and CIO of RiskBridge Advisors, on building portfolios that can withstand 
distress in the financial sector. A reception follows, with time to put your own questions to the 
speakers.

SCHEDULE

• 3:00-3:05 PM
  Welcome and Opening Remarks: Dr. Assa Cohen
• 3:05-3:45 PM
  Session 1: David Kotok
• Introduction: Steven Drelich
• 3:05-3:25 PM
  The Fed and the Flu - David Kotok
• 3:25-3:45 PM
  Q&A
• 3:45-4:30 PM
  Session 2: Martin Gruenberg
• Introduction: Prof. Abraham Ravid
• 3:45-4:05 PM
  Monetary Independence, Deregulation, and the Stability of the Banking System - Martin Gruenberg
• 4:05-4:30 PM
  Roundtable Interview (Interviewers TBD)
• 4:30-4:45 PM
  15-minute Break
• 4:45-5:30 PM
  Session 3: Bill Kennedy
  Introduction: Dr. Andreas Christopoulos
• 4:45-5:05 PM
  Hedging Against Disruptions to Financial Stability - Bill Kennedy
• 5:05-5:30 PM
  Roundtable Interview (Interviewers TBD)
• 5:30 PM
  Closing Remarks - Dr. Assa Cohen
• 5:30-6:30 PM
  Reception