Squawk Pod

CEO of retirement services provider TIAA and former Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve Roger Ferguson shares why corporate America should be speaking out against Georgia’s controversial voting law. He discusses his decision to co-sign the letter penned by Black American executives urging their fellow CEOs to speak up for equality and democracy. Plus, in light of Jamie Dimon’s annual letter, Ferguson considers fintech’s role in the financial ecosystem, and in light of Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments on the U.S. economy, Ferguson shares his own optimistic outlook for a global recovery. The rise of crypto has created “ripples” for the rest of the financial sector, especially for trading platform Robinhood, CNBC’s Kate Rooney reports. Joe, Becky, and Andrew digest the Amazon union vote and Procter & Gamble’s advertising strategy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

9 Apr 202130min

Axios business editor Dan Primack and RiverFront Investment Group senior market strategist Rebecca Felton consider Jamie Dimon’s suggestion that big banks like his own JPMorgan ought to look out; fintech is coming for them, and their money. Schools and employers are weighing pros, cons and legal limits to mandated vaccinations and vaccination disclosures. Wharton’s Management Department Chairperson Professor Nancy Rothbard posits that in the workplace, incentives may be a more effective, less alienating strategy than requirements. CNBC’s Jim Cramer, a small business owner himself, is looking--without success--to state and federal guidelines to shape his own vaccine policy for employees. Plus, AstraZeneca’s vaccine has hit yet another troubling snag abroad, and a brand new airline is ready to hit the tarmac as soon as the pandemic subsides. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

8 Apr 202133min

In a 66-page-long iteration of his annual shareholder letter, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon shares his expectations for America’s economic future, in both the immediate and long term. He’s bullish on the U.S., but wary of political and social dysfunction across the country. Pollster and political strategist Frank Luntz is urging leaders to choose their words wisely. A new survey reveals that Americans are broadly opposed to carrying a vaccine “passport,” but not a “verification” or “certification.” Rhetoric around vaccinations in this country could, according to Luntz, mean “the difference between life and death.” Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has spoken out in favor of raising corporate tax rates, although his business won’t be affected by any of President Biden’s proposed changes. Plus, Kim Kardashian has hit billionaire status, turning her high-profile lifestyle into a highly profitable income. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

7 Apr 202129min

NYC-based nonprofit Robin Hood has teamed up with corporate giants like Starbucks, McKinsey, and Goldman Sachs to launch NinetytoZero, an initiative aimed at eliminating the 90% wealth gap between white and Black families in the United States. Robin Hood CEO Wes Moore underlines how corporate decisions to hire and promote Black talent and invest in Black-owned businesses can make a tangible difference in America’s wealth disparity. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon discusses his involvement in the initiative, acknowledging the role Wall Street plays in issues across the rest of the country. Solomon addresses junior banker burnout and equity market transparency in his first interview since the “Goldman Sachs 13” controversy and the Archegos Capital billion-dollar fiasco originally made headlines. Plus, Americans are getting back to live sports, and China’s breaking into the crypto economy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

6 Apr 202129min

Leaders across corporate America, from Coca-Cola and Delta to the MLB, have spoken out against Georgia’s controversial voting law. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) defends the legislation, and suggests that non-lawmakers should stick to their own businesses. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses the increased rates of vaccinations, cases of Covid-19, and offers the vaccinated population a word of advice: remain careful. Plus, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is pushing for a global minimum corporate tax, and GameStop’s saga continues, now with more cash. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

5 Apr 202141min

Nick, a 15-year-old CNBC fan, started his Twitter account @Live_News_Nick at the beginning of the pandemic in hopes of kickstarting a reporting career. Becky Quick sits down with Nick--via Zoom--to swap stories about covering financial news and pursuing a career in TV. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2 Apr 202115min

President Biden has unveiled his $2 trillion, 15 year infrastructure plan signaling stricter corporate tax policies and a crackdown on offshoring. New York Times columnist Tom Friedman digests the proposal and his hopes for “smart capitalism” in a discussion of his latest column. Tom Werner, Chairman of the Boston Red Sox and of the Fenway Sports Group, discusses the MLB’s Opening Day and Fenway Park’s plans to reopen to fans at a 12 percent capacity. Plus, Pfizer’s Covid vaccine is proving effective and safe as it continues to roll out around the world, and Johnson & Johnson has quarantined some of its own supply. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 Apr 202137min

A group of Black business executives are urging the rest of corporate America to oppose legislation aimed at restricting voting access, following a new law in Georgia that critics say disproportionately hurts voters of color. Merck CEO Ken Frazier and former Chairman and CEO of American Express Ken Chenault led a group of executives in publishing an open letter in The New York Times pushing Wall Street to wield its power. Frazier and Chenault discuss the effort to rally opposition to legislation in Georgia and 43 other states, and they discuss corporate America’s role in speaking out against voter suppression. Frazier and Chenault consider vocal opposition in the C-suite an obligation to morality and to democracy, and they underline the significance of this moment in U.S. history.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

31 Mar 202128min