Goldman Sachs’ Daniel Blank Returns to YU, Shares Reflections and Career Insights

On the evening of Feb. 19, YU's chapter of TAMID hosted alumnus Daniel Blank (SSSB ‘97), partner and co-chairman of global mergers and acquisitions at Goldman Sachs. Blank spoke to an eclectic group of students on the Wilf campus, filling one of the university's largest lecture halls beyond capacity, with students standing along the walls to attend. The Sy Syms School of Business Honors program and the Investment Banking Society co-sponsored the event.

Tani Lewis (SSSB ‘25), an incoming investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs and president of the Finance Club, introduced Blank, describing him as a reflection of the "potential energy" of the students in the audience. Liorah Yaghoubzar (SSSB ‘25), an incoming analyst in Goldman Sachs' asset and wealth management division and co-president of TAMID, interviewed Blank about his time at YU, career path and lessons learned.

Blank, who majored in accounting and finance at SSSB, shared nostalgia about his time at the university. Pointing towards the periodic table on the wall, he excitedly recalled taking chemistry classes in the same lecture hall where the event took place. Blank also praised Professor Joshua Krausz, his finance professor, who still teaches investment analysis at the school, and his intermediate accounting professor, Moses Pava, former dean of the Sy Syms School of Business and current accounting department chair, who was in attendance. Blank lauded the accounting department at Yeshiva, particularly for its high job placement rate, and emphasized the importance of accounting as the backbone of the financial services industry. Blank, a father of three, met his wife at YU, which he affectionately called the "most important thing" about his time in school.

While at YU, Blank planned to pursue an accounting career. However, during an internship at the accounting firm Price Waterhouse (now PwC), he had a serendipitous encounter with an investment banker that prompted him to consider banking as an alternative career path. At the time, investment banking wasn’t a common path for YU graduates. He reflected that he didn't know what investment banking was back then. Blank spent his senior year interviewing for investment banking positions, ultimately placing at Bear Stearns & Co. 

On his first day at Bear Stearns & Co., Blank was assigned to gather information on a particular company. Rather than simply compiling data, he took the initiative to read through the documents and take notes. When he presented his findings to his vice president, John Waldron, Waldron was impressed by Blank's diligence and introduced him to the firm's managing director, David Solomon. Reflecting on this moment, Blank noted that he still works for both Waldron and Solomon today in their respective roles as president, COO and chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs; this incident remains a fond memory between them. His message to students was clear: Take pride in your work and go the extra mile — you never know which opportunities will shape your career.

After seven years at Bear Stearns & Co., Blank moved to Bank of America before transitioning to Morgan Stanley, where he spent 15 successful years as managing director and head of the North American industrials division. He later joined Goldman Sachs as a partner, advancing to his current role as co-chairman of global mergers and acquisitions.

Blank commented on how he expects the rise of artificial intelligence to affect banking, noting that, as with all innovation, it will undoubtedly impact the industry. He sees AI allowing for increasingly complex data processing, analysis and pattern recognition of the kind bankers can use to negotiate deals more effectively. Still, he doesn't see it replacing what he calls the "human touch and perspective" of banking. 

A husband and father, Blank emphasized the importance of balancing his intense career and personal life. Blank credits Shabbat for allowing him to manage both, adding that Goldman Sachs' "Saturday rule," where junior employees are not expected to work from 9 p.m. on Friday until 9 a.m. on Sunday, means all employees have at least one day off a week.

Blank’s visit left students with a resounding message: Success is built on hard work and determination. His story, from Sy Syms to heading global mergers and acquisitions at Goldman Sachs, is a testament to the potential that YU students have. As students left the packed lecture hall, a palpable sense of motivation lingered, their horizons just that much broader.

Photo Caption: Goldman Sachs Partner Daniel Blank speaks to students at the Wilf campus

Photo Credit: TAMID at Yeshiva