The Lead Left Picks: Your Summer Reading List

Capital Markets in the Twenty-First Century – Didn’t think we’d get into this, but after the first 287 pages, the author makes a persuasive case that all loans are not created equal. Middle market loans, the argument goes, are the new ‘patrimonial asset class.’ Squeezed somewhere between small business and the Fortune 500, midcaps get all the investor cash, leaving the rest disadvantaged. Richly illustrated with superb charts and graphs, none of which we understood, but bound to make top-notch screensavers.

Twelve Years to Behave – Stirring tale of how the Federal Reserve worked diligently to rebuild the economy after the Great Recession, reining in aberrant lenders, only to discover something called ‘shadow banking.’ Learn how those pesky non-regulated entities end up doing all the silly things that got the real banks in trouble. You’ll find yourself rooting for the quiet, no-nonsense heroes: the FDIC auditors!

First, there was Divergent. Then came Insurgent, and Allegiant. Now, based on that magnificent young adult’s fantasy series, here comes Delinquent! Set in the same post-apocalyptic Chicago as the previous books, this futuristic page-turner examines the dystopian world of a bank’s special-loan department. Our heroine discovers her adult self in a journey that explores authority, societal structures, and forbearance agreements. Talk about a great summer work-out!

In BDCs are the New Black, find out why arrangers are lining up daily to launch business development companies. Why managers are rushing to fill them up. And why these little beauties are all the rage with savvy investors right now. Comes with a helpful do-it-yourself workbook and DVD with step-by-step instructions showing how you too can structure and price your own vehicle. Also available in a game version for children ages 7 and up.

From the Editor: The Lead Left will be on vacation next week, and will return the week of September 2.