Smart Money Hardcover – 30 Apr 2015

Review

Dr. Richard Sandor, chairman and CEO of Environmental Financial Products
"Finance is like a hammer. You can use it to hit someone in the head or to build a house. Fortunately, Andrew Palmer shows us the untold story of financial innovation as a tool for 'building houses.' A very timely and well-written account of how current and future market applications can have a positive social impact in areas such as the environment, health, and education. A must-read for policymakers who need to understand the role of financial innovation as an engine of growth."


"Publishers Weekly"
"[An] eloquent manifesto.... This intelligent, balanced study of current innovations in finance does much to exorcise its recent demonization."
Robert Shiller, author of "Finance and the Good Society"
""Smart Money" is an entrancing story about what is new and exciting--but almost invisible for most of us--in twenty-first century finance. A real inspiration for idealistic entrepreneurs, and for members of the finance and insurance profession who have felt humiliated by the financial crisis."
Edward Glaeser, author of "Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier"
"This engaging and informative book provides a much needed rebuttal to the post-2007 hostility toward all forms of financial innovation. Andrew Palmer takes us on a tour of today's financial innovations, from social impact bonds to peer-to-peer lending, that illustrates the upside of creative finance. This book is crucial (and fun) reading for anyone who wants to understand both sides of the argument about financial regulation."
Andrew Haldane, Chief Economist, Bank of England
"Since the crisis, it has become far easier to bury finance than to praise it. Andrew Palmer has taken the path less followed. "Smart Money" is both optimistic and compelling as a vision for finance of the future."
Dr. Richard Sandor, chairman and CEO of Environmental Financial Products
"Finance is like a hammer. You can use it to hit someone in the head or to build a house. Fortunately, Andrew Palmer shows us the untold story of financial innovation as a tool for 'building houses.' A very timely and well-written account of how current and future market applications can have a positive social impact in areas such as the environment, health, and education. A must-read for policymakers who need to understand the role of financial innovation as an engine of growth."


"Library Journal"
"This book will satisfy the general reader and investor who wants to see the other side of the coin as it relates to financial innovation."
"Publishers Weekly"
"[An] eloquent manifesto.... This intelligent, balanced study of current innovations in finance does much to exorcise its recent demonization."
Robert Shiller, author of "Finance and the Good Society"
""Smart Money" is an entrancing story about what is new and exciting--but almost invisible for most of us--in twenty-first century finance. A real inspiration for idealistic entrepreneurs, and for members of the finance and insurance profession who have felt humiliated by the financial crisis."
Edward Glaeser, author of "Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier"
"This engaging and informative book provides a much needed rebuttal to the post-2007 hostility toward all forms of financial innovation. Andrew Palmer takes us on a tour of today's financial innovations, from social impact bonds to peer-to-peer lending, that illustrates the upside of creative finance. This book is crucial (and fun) reading for anyone who wants to understand both sides of the argument about financial regulation."
Andrew Haldane, Chief Economist, Bank of England
"Since the crisis, it has become far easier to bury finance than to praise it. Andrew Palmer has taken the path less followed. "Smart Money" is both optimistic and compelling as a vision for finance of the future."
Dr. Richard Sandor, chairman and CEO of Environmental Financial Products
"Finance is like a hammer. You can use it to hit someone in the head or to build a house. Fortunately, Andrew Palmer shows us the untold story of financial innovation as a tool for 'building houses.' A very timely and well-written account of how current and future market applications can have a positive social impact in areas such as the environment, health, and education. A must-read for policymakers who need to understand the role of financial innovation as an engine of growth."

"New York Times Book Review"
Fascinating Palmer is a muscular, efficient writer; he relates in-person interviews and statistical evidence with ease and humor. [His] vignettes show how innovation can, and should, involve more than bankers getting rich, playing games and dodging rules.
"Wall Street Journal"
A scintillating brief for financial invention a cheerful and lucid Cook s tour.
"Breakingviews"
[Palmer s] optimistic perspective is refreshing a welcome corrective to the prevailing conventional wisdom.
"CHOICE"
A welcome and inspiring counterargument to the post-2008 vilification of the finance industry. Interesting and well-written, the book shines a light on the virtues of financial innovation.
"Library Journal"
This book will satisfy the general reader and investor who wants to see the other side of the coin as it relates to financial innovation.
"Publishers Weekly"
[An] eloquent manifesto.... This intelligent, balanced study of current innovations in finance does much to exorcise its recent demonization.
"Bookforum"
Careful and sensible As someone who was thrown into the deep end of business reporting at the onset of the global financial crisis, [Palmer] is acutely aware of just how dangerous finance can be.
Robert Shiller, author of "Finance and the Good Society"
"Smart Money" is an entrancing story about what is new and excitingbut almost invisible for most of usin twenty-first century finance. A real inspiration for idealistic entrepreneurs, and for members of the finance and insurance profession who have felt humiliated by the financial crisis.
Edward Glaeser, author of "Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier"
This engaging and informative book provides a much needed rebuttal to the post-2007 hostility toward all forms of financial innovation. Andrew Palmer takes us on a tour of today s financial innovations, from social impact bonds to peer-to-peer lending, that illustrates the upside of creative finance. This book is crucial (and fun) reading for anyone who wants to understand both sides of the argument about financial regulation.
Andrew Haldane, Chief Economist, Bank of England
Since the crisis, it has become far easier to bury finance than to praise it. Andrew Palmer has taken the path less followed. "Smart Money" is both optimistic and compelling as a vision for finance of the future.
Dr. Richard Sandor, chairman and CEO of Environmental Financial Products
Finance is like a hammer. You can use it to hit someone in the head or to build a house. Fortunately, Andrew Palmer shows us the untold story of financial innovation as a tool for building houses. A very timely and well-written account of how current and future market applications can have a positive social impact in areas such as the environment, health, and education. A must-read for policymakers who need to understand the role of financial innovation as an engine of growth. "

About the Author

Andrew Palmer has worked at the Economist since 2007, and was its finance editor from 2009 to 2013. He is currently the Business Affairs editor at the Economist, where he is responsible for coverage of business, finance, and science. He has a master's degree in international relations from the London School of Economics and lives in London.