Antonio Matteo Humanity’s love for money is deep. Thus money is the root of much evil, but certainly not all of it.
However, money also has a very positive aspect that few talk about. It often brings people together.
For example, throughout my time in investment banking, people from all religions, all nationalities, all cultures, all political views, were brought together, all in the pursuit of money.
And frankly no-one gave a shit about anything. Apart from money.
I remember working on a $2bn transaction - the owner of the assets was an Orthodox Jew - he had a Christian running the company - Morgan Stanley put me on the deal despite me being a Muslim without anyone even batting an eyelid, because I was the best man for the job. Simple.
Political discussions took place, but everyone was intellectual and calm about it. Money was everyone’s focus.
People united, all in the pursuit of money.
It was beautiful. Sure, I see an irony in that.
And this happens in business too. You take the best deal, hire the best person. And that brings people of different backgrounds together.
Money is religion, race and colour blind. That’s a wonderful thing…
