The SIFMA Podcast

A monthly podcast examining the forces shaping markets and the broader economy.In the inaugural episode, SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. and Head of Research Heidi Learner are joined by Matthew Luzzetti, Chief U.S. Economist and Head of U.S. Economic Research at Deutsche Bank, to discuss the evolving macroeconomic backdrop, including inflation risks, oil prices, higher interest rates, fiscal pressures, AI, and the outlook for the U.S. economy.

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, Steve Byron speaks with Charles DeSimone, Ray Agoglia, and Elaine Li about the U.S. Treasury and Repo Clearing Done-Away Model Design Considerations report, published with EY in December 2025. 

In this episode of the SIFMA podcast, Steve Byron, Managing Director, Head of Technology, Operations, and BCP, is joined by Todd Klesman, Managing Director, Financial Services, Cyber, and Technology, and Andy Retrum of Protiviti to discuss the Quantum Dawn VIII After Action Report.Their conversation explores key findings from the November 2025 exercise, including lessons from a polycrisis scenario, the role of public-private collaboration, and areas of focus for strengthening the financial sector’s operational resilience and cybersecurity.

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, Heidi Learner, Managing Director and Director of Research at SIFMA, speaks with Andrew Guillette, Vice President at Broadridge, about insights from Broadridge’s Investor Pulse — a data-driven resource built on real investor holdings and activity rather than surveys or sentiment. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. reflects on the recent Member Briefing where he was joined by Scott Anderson, Ph.D., Chief US Economist and Managing Director at BMO and Co-Chair of the SIFMA Economist Roundtable, and Heidi Learner, Managing Director, Director of Research at SIFMA. Together, they unpack key takeaways from SIFMA’s 2025 End-Year Economic Survey. 

In this episode of the SIFMA Podcast, Kenneth E. Bentsen Jr., President and CEO of SIFMA, joins Charles DeSimone and Peter Ryan to discuss the critical importance of investor protections in markets for tokenized securities. 

In this new episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA COO Joe Seidel is joined by Lindsey Keljo, Head of SIFMA AMG, and Lisa Bleier, Head of Wealth Management, Retirement, and State Government Relations, to share key takeaways from the Private Markets Valuation Roundtable, including:Why private and public markets work best togetherHow valuation practices are evolvingWhat private markets could mean for retirement saversThe importance of transparency and investor trust

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, we share a replay from SIFMA’s Private Markets Valuation Roundtable. Panelists explore how private assets are allocated and evaluated in retirement and professionally managed accounts, the challenges of valuing private vs. public assets, and best practices for fiduciaries navigating these investments. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast,  we share a replay from SIFMA’s Private Markets Valuation Roundtable. Panelists explore valuation principles, the guardrails already in place, and common misconceptions about valuing private assets — and discuss how greater transparency around valuation practices can help build confidence and address these misconceptions. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, we feature a replay of the remarks made from SEC Commissioner Mark T. Uyeda. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. reflects on the recent Member Briefing where he was joined by Scott Anderson, Ph.D., Chief US Economist and Managing Director at BMO and Co-Chair of the SIFMA Economist Roundtable. Together, they unpack key takeaways from SIFMA’s 2025 Mid-Year Economic Survey, conducted following the June FOMC meeting. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA's President and CEO speaks with Lisa Bleier, Head of Wealth Management, Retirement, and State Government Relations at SIFMA, and Jennifer Spoeri, Executive Director of NAPSA. Together, they unpack key takeaways from the recent World Elder Abuse Awareness Day webinar and discuss the broader efforts by both organizations to protect senior investors from financial exploitation. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., is joined by colleague Joe Corcoran, Managing Director and Associate General Counsel, to discuss SIFMA’s recommendations to the Securities and Exchange Commission on how to reform the Consolidated Audit Trail, or the CAT.Together, they discuss:Background on CATWhy CAT is back in the SpotlightSIFMA’s key recommendations for reform

In the latest episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen Jr. is joined by colleagues Peter Ryan and Charles DeSimone to unpack SIFMA's response to the SEC Crypto Task Force’s request for information on digital assets.Together, they discuss:Key issues raised by Commissioner Hester Peirce’s statementSIFMA's policy recommendations on securities classification, custody, and tokenization - covering both sell- and buy-side perspectivesThe need for clarity, consistency, and technology-neutral rulesHow existing frameworks can adapt to support innovation without compromising investor protectionAnd more.

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, we recap key moments from SIFMA’s 2025 Anti-Money Laundering & Financial Crimes Conference, held in Washington, DC. SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., is joined by Saima Ahmed, SIFMA's Executive Vice President and General Counsel, and Bernard Canepa, Managing Director and Associate General Counsel at SIFMA, to discuss insights from the conference's moderated keynote sessions. Highlights include conversations with:Dr. Michael Faulkender, Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of the TreasuryAntonia Apps, Deputy Director of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange CommissionU.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia.Tune in for a timely and in-depth discussion on the future of financial crime compliance and regulatory priorities. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, we recap highlights from SIFMA’s 2025 Operations Conference & Exhibition, held in Orlando, Florida. SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., is joined by Chief Operating Officer Joseph Seidel and Stephen Byron, Managing Director and Head of Technology, Operations, and Business Continuity. Together, they unpack insights from two standout sessions:Redefining Efficiency and Client Strategy in a Changing Regulatory LandscapeExecutive Insights: Modernization, Market Trends, and the Future of OperationsTune in for expert perspectives on the evolving operations landscape and what it means for the industry going forward.

In recognition of Financial Literacy Month, SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. hosts a discussion with Lisa Hunt, Managing Director and Head of International Services at Charles Schwab, and Melanie Mortimer, President of the SIFMA Foundation.In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, they explore the critical role of the financial services industry in advancing financial education, the work being done by Charles Schwab and the SIFMA Foundation in supporting financial education, and the impact of their programs on communities across the country.

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA Chief Operating Officer Joseph Seidel is joined by Dr. Guowei Zhang, Managing Director at SIFMA, to unpack the critical role of leverage ratios in the U.S. Treasury market – and why exempting them from leverage ratio calculations may be key to strengthening market resilience.Together, they explore:How current leverage ratio requirements, implemented in 2018, may limit banks’ capacity to intermediate in Treasury markets.SIFMA’s latest analysis quantifying the impact of U.S. Treasury holdings on bank leverage ratios.Evidence from the temporary exemption during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what it tells us about future policy considerations.With over $28 trillion in outstanding Treasury securities and an average of $910 billion traded daily, the stakes are high. As volatility continues to challenge financial markets, this conversation shines a light on potential policy solutions that support both market stability and economic growth.🔍 Learn more and access supporting materials at sifma.org📬 Comments and questions? Reach us at [email protected]🎧 Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. sits down with SIFMA General Counsel Saima Ahmed to unpack key takeaways from the 2025 SIFMA Compliance & Legal Annual Seminar.They discuss top regulatory priorities, evolving compliance expectations, and what’s on the horizon. With exclusive conversations live from the Seminar floor, this episode brings you firsthand insights from:Mark Uyeda, Acting Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)Robert Cook, President and CEO, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)Tune in for expert perspectives on the future of regulation and what it means the capital markets and financial services industry in 2025.

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA’s President and CEO, Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., sits down with Katie Kolchin, CFA to discuss the latest U.S. Equity Market Structure Compendium. This report summarizes market activity and themes in 2024, including: the AI boom, market concentration, higher-for-longer rates, earnings growth, and more. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA’s President and CEO, Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., sits down with Katie Kolchin, CFA to discuss the themes and market metrics that are shaping the U.S. fixed income markets in 2025.

 In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA's Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Seidel, sits down with Robert Toomey, the head of SIFMA's capital markets group, William Thum, managing director in SIFMA’s Asset Management Group, and Stephen Byron, the head of SIFMA’s operations and technology group, to discuss the recent compliance extension from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for its Treasury Clearing rule and SIFMA's work on behalf of the industry to implement the mandate set out in the rule.  

Recently, SIFMA has met with our Board to set our 2025 priorities on behalf of our members and in support of our mission to promote effective and resilient capital markets. In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA's president and CEO, Ken Bentsen, and SIFMA's COO, Joseph Seidel, sit down to discuss SIFMA’s priorities for the year ahead. 

Who is subject to the SEC's rules? When do they go into effect? What are the margin implications? How will firms account for increased volumes? In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA's COO, Joseph Seidel, sits down with EY's Brendan Maher and SIFMA's Steve Byron, William Thum, and Rob Toomey to answer these questions and more. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, we highlight just some of the conversations that took place at SIFMA's Annual Meeting. Our discussions with industry leaders like BlackRock's Larry Fink and Edward Jones' Penny Pennington include top-of-mind issues including:The expanding role of the capital markets and their potential to positively impact society and contribute to economic growth;SIFMA's priorities on behalf of our members, including critical issues like mandated clearing of U.S. Treasury securities;And morePodcast Host:Kenneth E. Bentsen Jr.SIFMA Annual Featured Speakers:Rostin Benham, Commodity Futures Trading CommissionKen Cella, Edward JonesLaura Chepucavage, Bank of AmericaLarry Fink, BlackRockJosh Frost, U.S. Department of TreasuryGary Gensler, U.S. Securities and Exchange CommissionLorie Logan, Dallas Federal ReservePenny Pennington, Edward Jones

In this episode of the SIFMA Podcast, Ken Bentsen, SIFMA's President and CEO, is joined by Katie Kolchin, SIFMA Managing Director and Head of Research, for a discussion around the recently updated SIFMA Insights Primer series.This series of reports explains the inner workings of capital markets, breaking down important technical and regulatory nuances. Listen in as Ken and Katie dive into the Capital Markets Primer, which provides readers with a deeper look at markets and the role of financial institutions.

In this episode of the SIFMA Podcast, Ken Bentsen, SIFMA’s president, and CEO, sits down with Stephen Byron, Managing Director, Head of Technology, Operations, and Business Continuity, SIFMA to discuss the 5 key takeaways from SIFMA’s 2024 Operations and Technology Conference and what’s ahead in the operations space. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, we share a replay of the Treasury Clearing panel discussion at SIFMA’s recent Operations Conference & Exhibition. But first, SIFMA’s Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Seidel, sits down with panel moderator Robert Toomey and SIFMA Asset Management Group’s Bill Thum to outline what firms need to be doing today to prepare for the SEC rules, SIFMA’s new documentation to allow market participants to meet their clearing documentation needs efficient, and next steps for the industry to meet the aggressive timeline for implementation.Podcast guests:Joseph SeidelRobert ToomeyWilliam ThumPanelists:Robert ToomeyLaura KlimpelAnthony MediciThomas WipfNathaniel Wuerrffel

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA’s Chief Operating Officer Joseph Seidel sits down with Craig Lewis, former Chief Economist and Director of the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis, or DERA, at the SEC, to discuss the SEC’s approach to economic analysis as the basis for rule proposals. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA's Chief Operating Officer Joseph Seidel sits down with Dr. Peter Ryan, Managing Director, and Head of International Capital Markets and Strategic Initiatives, to discuss the status of the Basel III Endgame proposal in the United States. A recent study found that the proposal would cause U.S. economic growth to decline by up to 56 basis points – equivalent to a 25% reduction in the U.S. compound annual growth rate. While there is uncertainty around the regulatory process that lies ahead, it is clear that the rule will not be implemented by its July 2025 deadline. This discussion dives into the proposal's implications for the U.S. capital markets and the broader economy, and the need for material – and necessary – changes in the form of a complete re-proposal.

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA president and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. and Ken Cella, Principal and Head of External Affairs for Edward Jones and 2023-2024 Chair of SIFMA's Board of Directors, discuss SIFMA's commitment to fostering effective and efficient capital markets, our role on behalf of the membership, and the goals we have set out to achieve under the direction of our leadership.

 In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA president and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. sits down with Robert Toomey and William Thum, who outline SIFMA and SIFMA AMG's partnership to advance multiple workstreams and short-term deliverables that will set the stage for long-term implementation. These include standard documentation, enhancements to market structure, further needed regulatory reforms, and an operations timeline for all participants to adjust ahead of the 2026 go-live for U.S. Treasury clearing. 

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA's Joseph Seidel and Dr. Peter Ryan identify and discuss three key takeaways from SIFMA's recent Basel III Endgame Roundtable. The Basel III Endgame package of reforms:Is unprecedented in its scale and scope and deviates from its original intent;Must be re-proposed in full for both substantive and legal reasons; andMust be subject to wide-ranging and material revisions that also take into account the proposal's interactions with other elements of the U.S. capital framework.In their discussion, they highlight remarks from the Roundtable's diverse group of regulatory, academic and business participants. They cover the proposal's implications for the U.S. capital markets, end-users, and broader economy, and the prospects for material changes to the proposal, particularly its trading book-related components. 

In this episode of SIFMA's podcast, Ken Bentsen, SIFMA's President and CEO, and Tom Price, Managing Director of Technology Operations and Business Continuity, discuss the final days leading up to the transition to T+1 day settlement. They discuss the industry's readiness for the transition, the history of settlement cycles, and the benefits of T+1. They also highlight the resources available and the importance of communication during this transition. 

 In this episode of the SIFMA Podcast SIFMA President & CEO Ken Bentsen sits down with Scott Smith, Director of Advice Relationships at Cerulli Associates, and Lisa Bleier, Head of Wealth Management and Retirement and State Government Affairs at SIFMA. They discuss new findings issued by SIFMA and Cerulli Associates regarding the current landscape of financial planning, namely the increasing desire from investors for personalized comprehensive advice delivered through trusted advisors. They also dive into the proposed DOL fiduciary rule and how it conflicts with the needs of the next generation of investors as laid out in the research. 

About 30% of the world is neurodivergent and these are major untapped talent pools. With some minor adjustments and accommodations to workplace processes we can enable these colleagues to work in this industry, be their very best and create an inclusive culture.In the latest episode of our SIFMA DE&I podcast series, we sat down with JPMorgan Chase’s Head of Office of Disability Inclusion and Neurodiversity, Bryan Gill for a discussion on JPMorgan Chase's investment in neurodiversity, bringing intentional effort to be inclusive in this community and the superpowers that they can bring to a firm. He also highlights the advocacy work being done to remove barriers from archaic regulations, how allyship in the workplace can support neurodivergent colleagues, leading with empathy and the cultural impact it has on an organization.For more information on fostering and expanding workforce, client, and supplier diversity equity and inclusion, please visit www.sifma.org/diversity.

The military is one of the most diverse organizations in the world. It requires a diverse skill set and grit to be in the service and we learn just how easily veterans can translate those skills into the financial services industry.In the next episode of our SIFMA DE&I Podcast series, we chat with Academy Securities Founder and CEO, Chance Mims on the nation’s first veteran-owned and operated firm and their commitment to recruiting and empowering military veterans. Chance shares insights on Academy Securities social mission to combat veteran unemployment including prioritizing female veterans and the focus to find nontraditional Wall Street pedigrees. He highlights how the industry can harness similar recruitment strategies by having veterans contribute to the entire process from interviewing to hiring to mentorship.

 We kick-off part II of our SIFMA DE&I Podcast series with PIMCO’s Head of Public Policy, Libby Cantrill, for a discussion on Libby’s career path starting from what sparked her initial interest in finance to her time on Capitol Hill and the journey that has led to her current role at PIMCO. She shares insights on the role of mentors and sponsors throughout her career which provided her with an important example early on that you can be a pioneer but at the same time be a parent and/or a spouse. She shares the challenges she faced as she evolved, and advice she’d give the younger generation as they think about their career development paths. 

In this episode of The SIFMA podcast, Joe Siedel, SIFMA's Chief Operating Officer, and colleague Ellen Greene, Managing Director of Equity and Options Market Structure, discuss why the SEC's rulemaking agenda continues to raise questions. They dive into some of the key questions around the equity market structure proposals and how they may affect listed options and innovation. With the move to T+1 next May, Joe and Ellen also talk about why customer education is a critical component in the transition. Tune in now. 

In this episode of Top of Mind with SIFMA Insights, Katie Kolchin, CFA, Head of Research, is joined by Torsten Slok, Chief Economist and Partner at Apollo Global Management to recap the recent FOMC meeting, exploring the actions taken and shedding light on the future of rate hikes. 

In this episode of Top of Mind with SIFMA Insights, SIFMA’s Head of Research, Katie Kolchin, CFA, is joined by Dr. Lindsey Piegza, Chief Economist at Stifel and Chair of the SIFMA Economist Roundtable to discuss the status of inflation, the future for rate hikes, and what to look for at the Fed’s annual Economic Policy Symposium in Jackson Hole, kicking off on August 24. 

In this episode of the SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA's Head of Research Katie Kolchin discusses the highlights from SIFMA Insights Monthly Metrics for July 2023. This report analyzes market metrics and trends for volatility, prices, and volumes in the U.S. equities and listed options markets. She also highlights an interesting market theme for the month.

In the last episode of Part I of SIFMA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Podcast series, SIFMA EVP and Head of DE&I, Cheryl Crispen sits down with John Taft, Vice Chair of Baird to discuss what it takes to be a committed DE&I advocate and how having an emotional connection is critical when it comes to doing the work that is necessary to make a difference.

In the next episode of our DE&I podcast series, SIFMA’s EVP and Head of DE&I, Cheryl Crispen sits down with HSBC Senior Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Mark Steffensen to discuss how the firm prioritizes DE&I as a business imperative with a client-centered focus. The core of HSBC as an international bank is multiculturalism and helping to connect clients from all over the world to capital and to one another is essential.

In this episode of the SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA's Head of Research Katie Kolchin discusses the highlights from SIFMA Insights Monthly Metrics for June 2023. This report analyzes market metrics and trends for volatility, prices, and volumes in the U.S. equities and listed options markets. She also highlights an interesting market theme for the month.

In the next episode of SIFMA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Podcast series, SIFMA’s EVP and Head of DE&I, Cheryl Crispen sits down with Charles Schwab Managing Director, Head of International Services, Lisa Hunt to discuss the ways that Charles Schwab is still creating a more inclusive environment 50 years later with its original vision to bring more people from Main Street into the world of investing.

In the next episode of the 2023 SIFMA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Podcast series, SIFMA EVP and Head of DE&I, Cheryl Crispen sits down with Alliance Bernstein Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion and Corporate Citizenship, Vanessa Cox-Irvin to discuss the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion and their efforts to recruit and retain diverse colleagues in the financial services industry. 

In this episode of the SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA's Katie Kolchin highlights the top ten results from our 2023 mid-year survey.  After that, we’ll share a conversation between our president and CEO, Ken Bentsen, and the Chair of our Economist Roundtable, Dr. Lindsey Piegza, managing director and chief US economist for Stifel.

In the first episode of our DE&I podcast series and to honor pride month, SIFMA EVP and Head of DE&I, Cheryl Crispen sits down with JPMorgan Chase Managing Director and Global Head of LGBTQ+ Affairs, Brad Baumoel, for a discussion on the firm’s DE&I centers of excellence, in particular for LGBTQ+, and how they deliver impact for underrepresented and marginalized communities. They dig into how the programs and initiatives strengthen internal culture and raise visibility into communities, which in turn enables employees to reach their fullest potential and deliver inclusive products, services, and advice for their clients and customers. They highlight how this has addressed the barriers to opportunities and access to resources that too many of the community face.

In this episode of the SIFMA Podcast, SIFMA's Head of Research Katie Kolchin discusses the highlights from SIFMA Insights Monthly Metrics for May 2023. This report analyzes market metrics and trends for volatility, prices, and volumes in the U.S. equities and listed options markets. She also highlights an interesting market theme for the month.