Warren Buffett's Interview with the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission

by Warren Buffett, The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission

In the revealing interview, Mr. Buffett discusses how he missed predicting the crisis and its effect on the financial system. He also shares thoughts on some of the main players, like Jamie Dimon and Ken Lewis; the logic behind the investments he made in late 2008, and how close the system came to collapse. He also talks about what he calls "the single most important decision in evaluating a business," his thoughts on the US dollar and Moody's, and why he sold Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

104 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2011

About the author

Warren Edward Buffett is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist who currently serves as the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. As a result of his investment success, Buffett is one of the best-known investors in the world. As of April 2024, he had a net worth of $139 billion, making him the ninth-richest person in the world.
Buffett was born in Omaha, Nebraska. The son of US congressman and businessman Howard Buffett, he developed an interest in business and investing during his youth. He entered the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1947 before graduating from the University of Nebraska at 19. He went on to graduate from Columbia Business School, where he molded his investment philosophy around the concept of value investing pioneered by Benjamin Graham. He attended New York Institute of Finance to focus on his economics background and soon pursued a business career. He later began various business ventures and investment partnerships, including one with Graham. He created Buffett Partnership Ltd. in 1956 and his investment firm eventually acquired a textile manufacturing firm, Berkshire Hathaway, assuming its name to create a diversified holding company. Buffett emerged as the company's chairman and majority shareholder in 1970. In 1978, fellow investor and long-time business associate Charles T. Munger joined Buffett as vice-chairman.
Since 1970, Buffett has presided as the chairman and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, one of America's foremost holding companies and world's leading corporate conglomerates. He has been referred to as the "Oracle" or "Sage" of Omaha by global media as a result of having accumulated a massive fortune derived from his business and investment success. He is noted for his adherence to the principles of value investing, and his frugality despite his wealth.
Buffett has pledged to give away 99 percent of his fortune to philanthropic causes, primarily via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He founded the Giving Pledge in 2010 with Bill Gates, whereby billionaires pledge to give away at least half of their fortunes.

Reviews

[Milan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warren Buffett's take on the financial crisis - some pretty good insights and some old Buffett wisdom.