Henry L. Paulson

American banker and former United States Secretary of the Treasury

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Henry L. Paulson in 2022

Henry Merritt "Hank" Paulson Jr. (born March 28, 1946) is an American banker and former government official who served as the 74th United States Secretary of the Treasury from 2006 to 2009. Prior to his role in government, Paulson was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm.

Early life and education

Henry Paulson was born in Palm Beach, Florida, and raised in Barrington Hills, Illinois. He attended Barrington High School, where he excelled in sports and academics. Paulson went on to attend Dartmouth College, graduating in 1968 with a degree in English. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Paulson later earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School in 1970.

Career at Goldman Sachs

Paulson joined Goldman Sachs in 1974, where he worked in the firm's Chicago office. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, becoming a partner in 1982. In 1994, Paulson was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Goldman Sachs, and in 1999, he became the firm's CEO. Under his leadership, Goldman Sachs expanded its global reach and increased its influence in the financial world.

United States Secretary of the Treasury

In 2006, President George W. Bush nominated Paulson to serve as the United States Secretary of the Treasury. He was confirmed by the United States Senate and took office on July 10, 2006. During his tenure, Paulson played a key role in managing the financial crisis of 2007–2008. He was instrumental in the creation of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), which aimed to stabilize the financial system by purchasing distressed assets from banks.

Post-government career

After leaving the Treasury Department in 2009, Paulson founded the Paulson Institute, a non-partisan think tank dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth and environmental protection in the United States and China. He has also been involved in various philanthropic activities and serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations.

Personal life

Paulson is married to Wendy Judge Paulson, and they have two children. The Paulsons are known for their commitment to environmental conservation and have supported numerous initiatives in this area.

Related pages

• Goldman Sachs
• Financial crisis of 2007–2008
• Troubled Asset Relief Program
• United States Secretary of the Treasury