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We provide evidence on the evolution of generalized trust among finance professionals using data from the General Social Survey over the period 1978-2016. Accounting for demographic, regional, and socioeconomic characteristics, we document a significant decline in the level of trust among finance professionals relative to the decline of trust in the U.S. population. This decline is unique to the finance industry and is particularly strong in the early years of the sample when finance professionals initially exhibited a higher level of trust than the average American. The decline occurs across all subsectors in finance and at all hierarchy levels.

Using a novel typology of serial acquirers, we examine several puzzles documented in prior literature. We show that acquisitions by different types of acquirers are driven by different factors, they acquire different sizes of targets, and subsequent acquisitions by acquirers are predictable ex ante. Controlling for market anticipation, the most frequent serial acquirers do not earn declining returns as they continue acquiring, while less frequent acquirers do. Our methodology enhances our understanding of serial acquisition dynamics, anticipation, and economic value adjustments. The methodology is likely to be relevant to topics related to event anticipation beyond those covered in this study.