2003 Presentations (Communicative Events)

Aozora Bank: The contest over, the future begins

The Program on Alternative Investments, under the aegis of the Center on Japanese Economy and Business and in cooperation with the student-run Japan Business Association of Columbia Business School, hosted the first seminar of the new academic year on September 24, 2003. The event featured Mr. Louis Forster, the president of Cerberus, Japan, and was moderated by Dr. Mark Mason, director of the program. Mr. Forster's presentation focused on Cerberus's acquisition of Aozora Bank and his vision for the bank's future development. Following are excerpts from Mr. Forster's presentation, together with selections from the subsequent question-and-answer period.