The Jamie Dimon Interview
7/16/20251 hr 6 min
We sit down with Jamie Dimon for a live conversation at Radio City Music Hall, covering the incredible journey from his 1998 firing at Citgroup (where he was widely expected to become CEO) to building the most powerful bank in the world. Today JPMorgan Chase is a juggernaut — the most systemically important non-governmental financial institution in the world, with over twice the market capitalization of its nearest competitor. But it certainly wasn’t always this way! Jamie takes us from his career restart at the struggling Chicago-based Bank One through how he transformed that platform into the foundation for the modern JPMorgan Chase. We dive into the “fortress balance sheet” strategy that has defined his tenure, and cover blow-by-blow Jamie’s approach to the Great Financial Crisis, Bear Stearns, WaMu, First Republic and more. Tune in for an incredible conversation, live from New York City’s most iconic venue!
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Episode image photo credit: Rockefeller Center
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Note: Acquired hosts and guests may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsBen Gilbert· Host0:00
David, we completely blew it. We went into Jamie Dimon's office, had our little meet and greet. We did not ask about the dual pistols.
David Rosenthal· Host0:09
Yeah. From the duel Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, which JPMorgan owns and keeps in their headquarters. And we blew it, we didn't ask to see them. We'll just have to come back.
Ben Gilbert· Host0:21
When they finish the new building, I'm sure they will be in the executive floor, we can go get a viewing of the, uh, you know, piece of American history.
David Rosenthal· Host0:29
(laughs) All right, speaking of American history, let's do it.
Ben Gilbert· Host0:32
Let's do it.
Speaker 2· Soundbite0:32
Radio City, are you ready? Who got the truth? Yeah. Is it you? Is it you? Is it you? Who got the truth now, now? Is it you? Is it you? Is it you? Sit me down, say it straight. Another story on the way. Who got the truth now? Who got the truth?
Ben Gilbert· Host0:58
Welcome to the summer 2025 season of Acquired, the podcast about great companies and the stories and playbooks behind them. I'm Ben Gilbert.
David Rosenthal· Host1:08
I'm David Rosenthal.
Ben Gilbert· Host1:10
And we are your hosts. Today's episode is the story of a rising star on Wall Street in the 1980s, who worked with his mentor to merge and acquire their way to the top of the financial world in the '90s, who then got fired unexpectedly by that same mentor, who cast about