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Published May 16, 2024

Savita Subramanian on Equity and Quantitative Strategy

Barry Ritholtz converses with Savita Subramanian of Bank of America on her journey in finance, the transformative impact of AI on investment strategies, and insights into market dynamics, while sharing how personal media preferences shape their views.
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Episode Highlights

  • Education

    Savita Subramanian's educational journey is marked by a unique blend of mathematics and philosophy, driven by her short attention span and desire for intellectual variety. Initially, she planned to pursue a PhD in philosophy but found herself drawn to finance while working in New York. Savita realized that finance combined her interests in mathematics and philosophy, offering a logical yet unpredictable field that intrigued her.

    I realized I could make a lot more money working in finance than being a philosophy professor, and I basically kind of stayed the course.

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    Her parents, both in high tech, initially pushed her towards a career in the sciences, but she ultimately embraced finance as her path 1 2.

       

    Mentorship

    Mentorship played a crucial role in Savita's career, with Rich Bernstein being a significant influence during her internship at Merrill Lynch. This experience was pivotal, leading her to a long-standing career at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Savita also credits her mother, a software coder who defied norms, as a role model for resilience and authenticity.

    She wore a sari to work every day, but somehow ascended the corporate ladder at Digital Equipment Corporation and became a manager.

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    These mentors shaped her professional journey, instilling values of perseverance and staying true to oneself 3 4.

       

    Success

    Reflecting on her career, Savita Subramanian emphasizes the importance of humility and continuous self-assessment. She advises against arrogance, highlighting the value of listening and learning from others. Savita also reflects on her early career risk aversion, wishing she had invested more boldly when she was younger.

    I wish I just socked away more money in the riskiest, most volatile asset classes, because that's where, when you're young, you can really take a punt.

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    Her insights underscore the significance of adaptability and critical thinking in achieving long-term success 5 6.

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