Financial Darwinism: Create Value Or Self-Destruct In A World Of Risk

In Financial Darwinism, author Leo Tilman lays the groundwork for understanding the new financial order by introducing his evolutionary thesis and then outlines an actionable decision-making framework that enables financial institutions and investors to fully leverage the power of business strategy, corporate finance, investment analysis, and risk management. Financial Darwinism is an invaluable road map to today's financial world and an essential guide to surviving and thriving during these challenging times.

Leo M. Tilman is President of L.M. Tilman & Co., a strategic advisory firm that serves governments, financial institutions, corporations, and institutional investors worldwide. Prior to founding his own company, he held senior positions with BlackRock and Bear Sterns. Tilman teaches finance at University, which is also his graduate alma mater. He is coauthor of Risk Management (Wiley) and editor of Asset/Liability Management of Financial Institutions (Institutional Investor). Tilman is a contributing editor of the Journal of Risk Finance and a frequent speaker at leading business schools and conferences. He serves on the advisory board of the Center on Capitalism and Society at Columbia University and on the board of directors of Atlantic Partnership. Tilman has been honored by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, joining a select group of executives, public figures, and intellectuals recognized for “their professional accomplishments, commitment to society, and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.”

"As the world places increasing emphasis on fair valuation, risk-based financial disclosure and risk-focused regulation, Tilman's guide becomes more important for CEOs, directors and fiduciaries who must build risk evaluation into all fundamental decisions." (Corporate Governance)
“While Tilman's thesis is directed to financial firms, the concept applies to all businesses. Failure to adopt a risk management strategic planning model will lead to extinction, hence the "Darwinism" in the title. Summing Up: Recommended.” (Choice, April 2009)
"...Tilman couldn't have chosen a better time...clearly written and with plenty of rational advice for financial institutions" (City A.M., December 11th 2008)
"One of the book's merits is that he offers tables that provide taxonomies of business model transformation." (Financial World, February 2009)
"This book is highly recommended for finance professional sat all levels of an organization as well as investors desiring insights into how firms can weather the "tectonic shift" in the financial landscape. The terminology and models used should be within the grasp of anyone who has taken an undergraduate course in finance." (Journal of Corporate Finance and Accounting)
“[Tilman] sees much to be learned from the collective blindness that led to the economic meltdown. … says the first steps to recovery are humility and innovation” (Alpha magazine)
"This book offers a deeply thoughtful and well-reasoned analysis of what has gone wrong and the outlines of an eventual road to recovery." (Financial Executive International)

Foreword.
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
Chapter 1: Understanding and Navigating the Financial Revolution.
Introduction: The Need for Transformational Thinking.
From George Bailey to the Golden Age.
Accounting for Profits the Old Fashioned Way.
The “Great Moderation” As An Evolutionary Catalyst.
Economic Performance in the Dynamic New World.
Pressures on Static Business Models.
Dynamic Finance Perspective on Financial Crises.
Pillars of Strategic Decision Making.
Value Creation Through Dynamism and Business Model Transformations.
Beyond the Façade: The Importance of Risk-Based Transparency.
Chapter 2: The Old Regime and its Demise.
Economic Performance and Viability of Financial Institutions.
Static Business Models.
Dominant Forces: The Future That Has Already Happened.
Pressures on Static Business Models.
Chapter 3: The Dynamic New World.
Risk-Based Economic Performance.
Balance Sheet Arbitrage
Principal Investments.
Systematic Risk Exposures.
Fees and Expenses.
Capital Structure Optimization.
Economic Performance Attribution.
Chapter 4: Business Model Transformations.
Pillars of Strategic Decisions in a Dynamic World.
Responsive Recalibrations of Business Models.
Full-Scale Business Model Transformations.
Making the Strategic Vision a Reality.
Chapter 5: The Road to Financial Darwinism.
Real-World Business Model Transformations.
Stakeholder Communication & Equity Valuation in a Dynamic World.
Economic Value Creation (and Destruction) by Non-Financial Corporations.
The Infamous “Carry Trade” and the Old Ways of Thinking.
A Dynamic Finance Perspective on Modern Financial Crises.
Beyond the Façade: The Need for Risk-Based Transparency.
Conclusion.
Epilogue: Financial Darwinism and the Crisis of 2007-2008.
Appendix A: The Risk-Based Economic Performance Equation.
Appendix B: A Case Study in Dynamic Finance.
Notes.
References.
About the Author.
Index.