Chris Blum is a Managing Director and Head of Leveraged Finance at BNP Paribas. He is also responsible for BNP Paribas’ Financial Sponsor Coverage in the Americas. In these roles, Chris drives strategy and execution for the integrated platform bringing together BNP Paribas’ private equity coverage, corporate finance, and high yield/leveraged loan franchises. Since the financial crisis, Chris has advised and financed many premier acquisitions for both corporate and financial sponsor clients. Under his leadership, BNP Paribas’ Leveraged Finance and Financial Sponsors teams have grown revenue, volume and market share exponentially over the last four years, establishing the bank as a significant player in the Leveraged Finance market globally and in the Americas, executing over 60 LBO’s and some of the largest corporate acquisition financings in 2021. Prior to joining BNP Paribas in 2018, Chris spent nearly 20 years at Deutsche Bank, most recently as Co-Head of Leveraged Finance Origination, while also spending time in the Global Industrials Group. Chris has a BA in economics from Princeton University.