Insights from the 2025 Forbes Iconoclast Summit: Growth, Credit, and the Power of Optimism
At the 2025 Forbes Iconoclast Summit, Rockefeller Capital Management CEO Greg Fleming joined BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, markets, and the future of global finance. Their discussion offered timely insights into how we think about long-term opportunity and the forces shaping wealth creation today.
Growth matters more than cuts. In an era of rising deficits and fiscal uncertainty, one message stood out: we can’t cut our way to prosperity—we must grow into it. As Larry Fink put it: “We will never grow out of our deficit problem if we think we have to cut spending. The reality is we need to unlock growth opportunities.” Unlocking growth may be achievable by investing in innovation, infrastructure, and the future. It’s a strategy rooted in confidence—not just in markets, but in the entrepreneurial spirit that drives them.
Capital markets—and private credit—may be a force for growth. Capital markets have long been the engine of U.S. economic expansion. Today, for investors who meet eligibility criteria, private credit is playing an increasingly important role, especially as traditional banks face tighter capital requirements. This shift is creating new opportunities for long-term investors who can navigate complexity and seize emerging trends.
There is reason to be optimistic over the long term. In a world full of headlines and uncertainty, optimism isn’t naïve—it’s essential. Both Greg and Larry underscored the importance of staying focused on long-term fundamentals and the resilience of the U.S. economy. “We’re ripe with pessimism right now… but over a long cycle, if you believe in the entrepreneurialism of this country, which I do, optimism wins,” said Larry.
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