Chris Whalen
Chris Whalen is a veteran investment banker, financial author, and Chairman of Whalen Global Advisors LLC, a consultancy specializing in the financial services, mortgage finance, and technology sectors. With more than three decades of experience in banking, capital markets, and economic research, he is widely recognized as a thought leader in the financial industry. He edits The Institutional Risk Analyst, a newsletter offering in-depth commentary on banking, mortgage markets, and systemic risks, and contributes to leading publications such as National Mortgage News, Zero Hedge, American Banker, HousingWire, and The National Interest, where he frequently analyzes complex and underreported areas of the fixed income and mortgage markets. Over the course of his career in Washington, New York, and London, Whalen has held senior roles at the House Republican Conference Committee, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Bear Stearns, Prudential Securities, and Carrington Mortgage Holdings, giving him a unique blend of policy insight, banking expertise, and global market experience that makes him a sought-after advisor, commentator, and public speaker.
Chris Whalen Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Editor
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Managing Director
Academic History
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B.A., History
EARLY CAREER
Chris Whalen has held several senior leadership roles across Wall Street and the financial services industry, building a career that spans investment banking, credit ratings, and financial advisory.
He served as Senior Managing Director and Head of Research at Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA), overseeing ratings from the Financial Institutions and Corporate Ratings Groups, and was previously Executive Vice President and Head of Research at Carrington Holding Company, a leading real estate services provider.
Earlier, he co-founded and spent a decade as Principal of Institutional Risk Analytics (IRA), where he advised global corporations on financial strategy, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
He also served as Managing Director at Bear Stearns, working in the mergers and acquisitions group, and contributed his expertise for over a decade as a member of the FINRA Economic Advisory Committee.
Beyond his professional work, Whalen was an advisor on Season 5 of SHOWTIME’s hit series Billions, underscoring his influence in the intersection of finance, media, and culture.
MEDIA PRESENCE
Whalen is frequently sought after as a financial commentator and policy expert.
He has testified before Congress, the SEC, and the FDIC on banking, mortgage markets, and regulatory issues, reflecting his deep expertise in U.S. financial policy.
A regular guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business, and BNN, he is also widely quoted and featured in outlets such as Business Insider, American Banker, Real Vision, and HousingWire.
Through these media appearances and thought-leadership contributions, Whalen continues to shape discussions on systemic risk, capital markets, and the future of financial regulation.