Is the Banking System Safer Than It Was in 2008? Intelligence Squared U.S. Tapes Virtual Debate on Thurs, April 6

The global banking system may be facing its most significant crisis since 2008. Within a short span, a run on deposits at Silicon Valley Bank quickly led to the third-largest bank failure in U.S. history, with Switzerland's Credit Suisse later seeking government lifelines. A second US regional bank — Signature Bank — failed, and a third — First Republic Bank — was propped up. To some, these are signs of the kinds of broader risks the global economy stared down in 2008. In that context, award-winning debate series Intelligence Squared U.S. will tape a virtual debate on the question: “Is the Banking System Safer Than It Was in 2008?”

Arguing “YES” is Jason Furman, one of President Obama’s top economic advisors who served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers from 2013 to 2017. Arguing “NO” is Gillian Tett, chair of the editorial board and U.S. editor-at-large of the Financial Times, where she oversees global coverage of the financial markets.

While the debate will not be released widely until April 21, via public radio, video and the Intelligence Squared U.S. podcast, press are invited to attend and ask questions at the live virtual taping on Thursday, April 6 at 2:15 PM ET. Media can email raypadgett@shorefire.com for virtual access.

PARTICIPANT BIOS

* Jason Furman: Former Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers 
Jason Furman was one of President Obama’s top economic advisors who served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers from 2013 to 2017. Furman is professor of the practice of economic policy at Harvard Kennedy School and a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Furman is a member of numerous organizations including the Council on Foreign Relations, the Group of Thirty and the Economic Strategy Group. He also serves as a Trustee of the Russell Sage Foundation and on the advisory boards for the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, the Bund Summit, the Hamilton Project and the Washington Center for Equitable Growth.

* Gillian Tett: Chair of the Editorial Board and Editor-at-Large, Financial Times (U.S.) 
Gillian Tett is chair of the editorial board and U.S. editor-at-large of the Financial Times, where she oversees global coverage of the financial markets. An award-winning journalist and best-selling author, Tett is also the co-founder of “Moral Money,” a twice-weekly newsletter on socially responsible business. Her most recent book, “The Silo Effect,” analyzes the financial system through the lens of cultural anthropology. She has been named Columnist of the Year (2014), Journalist of the Year (2009) and Business Journalist of the Year (2008) in the British Press Awards, and received three awards from America's Society of Business and Economic Writers Awards. She is a best-selling author and received the Royal Anthropological Institute Marsh Award and the American Anthropological Association President Medal for her work in social science.