What happened to Lehman Brothers? The Lehman Brothers Failure Explained

On September 15, 2008, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings following an exodus of clients, share price depreciation, and devaluation of assets. With $613 billion in debt, it was the largest such filing in United States history and is generally accepted to have precipitated the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).

Event	Description
Founding and Growth	Lehman Brothers, founded in 1850, was a prominent financial services firm and investment bank. The firm played a pivotal role in financing major infrastructure projects and corporations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its initial focus was on commodities trading and helping businesses secure capital for expansion. Over the decades, Lehman Brothers expanded significantly and diversified its operations, becoming one of the largest and most respected investment banks in the United States and globally. The firm’s reputation for innovation, sound financial practices, and prudent risk management made it a key player on Wall Street.
Expansion and Diversification	Lehman Brothers’ expansion and diversification efforts allowed it to thrive in various economic environments. The firm moved beyond its initial focus on commodities and began offering a wide range of financial services, including underwriting securities, investment banking, and asset management. During the late 20th century, Lehman Brothers played a significant role in financing mergers and acquisitions, and it became known for its expertise in fixed-income trading. The diversification of its operations contributed to its status as a leading global financial institution.
Subprime Mortgage Involvement	Lehman Brothers’ downfall can be traced back to its heavy involvement in subprime mortgage-backed securities. In the years leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, the firm aggressively invested in these securities, believing that the U.S. housing market was immune to a significant downturn. The subprime mortgage market collapse exposed Lehman Brothers to massive losses and a liquidity crisis. The investments in subprime-related assets significantly eroded the firm’s balance sheet and capital reserves.
Financial Crisis of 2007-2008	The subprime mortgage market collapse, which began in 2007, set off a chain reaction of events that would eventually lead to Lehman Brothers’ demise. As the value of mortgage-backed securities plummeted, Lehman Brothers experienced substantial write-downs and losses. Additionally, the firm faced difficulties in rolling over its short-term debt and securing necessary funding. Confidence in Lehman Brothers waned, and its stock price plunged. Investors and creditors grew increasingly concerned about the firm’s financial health and its exposure to toxic assets.
Desperate Survival Measures	In a desperate attempt to survive, Lehman Brothers pursued various measures. It explored potential merger deals with other financial institutions, seeking a lifeline to bolster its capital position. Potential suitors, including Barclays and Bank of America, considered acquiring Lehman Brothers, but negotiations faltered due to concerns about the extent of the firm’s distressed assets. Additionally, Lehman Brothers sought to sell valuable assets and raise capital through asset sales.
September 2008: Bankruptcy Filing	Despite these efforts, Lehman Brothers was unable to secure the necessary capital or a suitable merger partner. On September 15, 2008, the firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, marking a historic moment in financial history. This bankruptcy was the largest in U.S. history at the time, dwarfing previous cases in terms of its scale and impact. Lehman Brothers’ failure sent shockwaves through global financial markets, causing severe disruptions and exacerbating the ongoing financial crisis.
Global Financial Crisis	Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy triggered a full-blown global financial crisis. Financial institutions worldwide were interconnected through complex financial instruments and derivative contracts, and the bankruptcy of a major player like Lehman had dire consequences. It created a crisis of confidence, leading to a severe credit freeze and liquidity crunch. Panic spread throughout the financial system, and institutions faced difficulties in valuing their assets and accessing short-term funding.
Government Bailout of Other Institutions	In response to the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy and the broader financial crisis, the U.S. government intervened to prevent further turmoil. It provided financial support to institutions such as American International Group (AIG), Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. These actions were aimed at stabilizing the financial system and preventing the collapse of other major institutions.
Assets and Debts	At the time of its bankruptcy filing, Lehman Brothers reported approximately $639 billion in assets and $619 billion in debt. The bankruptcy proceedings involved the sale and liquidation of Lehman’s assets to repay creditors. The complexity of Lehman Brothers’ operations and the vast number of creditors made this one of the most challenging bankruptcy cases in history.
Aftermath: Regulatory Reforms	Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy had a profound and lasting impact on the financial industry and regulatory landscape. It highlighted the need for stronger oversight and risk management in the financial sector. In response, the U.S. government implemented significant regulatory reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. These reforms aimed to enhance transparency, improve risk management practices, and prevent future financial crises.
Systemic Implications	Lehman Brothers’ collapse exposed the interconnectedness of financial institutions and the systemic risks associated with the global financial system. The shockwaves from the bankruptcy led to a severe tightening of credit markets, making it difficult for businesses and consumers to access financing. The ensuing economic downturn resulted in widespread job losses, home foreclosures, and a prolonged recession.
Public and Political Backlash	The bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and the subsequent financial crisis triggered public outrage and political backlash. Many Americans were deeply affected by the crisis, and there was a widespread perception that Wall Street had been reckless and irresponsible. This sentiment fueled discussions about income inequality, corporate greed, and the role of government in regulating financial institutions.
Lessons Learned	Lehman Brothers’ downfall serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive risk-taking, inadequate risk management, and overreliance on complex financial instruments. It underscored the importance of effective regulation and oversight in the financial industry. The crisis prompted a reevaluation of risk assessment practices and a renewed focus on financial stability.
Impact on Individuals and Employees	Beyond its systemic implications, Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy had a profound impact on its employees and their livelihoods. Tens of thousands of Lehman employees lost their jobs, and many faced financial hardships as a result. The collapse of the firm had a significant human cost, and it highlighted the personal toll that financial crises can take on individuals and families.
Long-Term Effects on Financial Services Industry	The financial services industry underwent substantial changes in the wake of Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy. The crisis accelerated the consolidation of some financial institutions and led to increased scrutiny of risk management practices across the industry. It also influenced consumer behavior and attitudes toward banking and investment.
Legacy and Historical Significance	Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy is remembered as one of the defining moments of the 2008 financial crisis and the subsequent “Great Recession.” The event reshaped the global financial landscape and left a lasting legacy in terms of regulatory reforms and risk management practices. It serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in the financial sector and the potential consequences of unchecked risk-taking.

Table of Contents

What caused Lehman Brothers collapse?

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. was a global financial services firm founded in 1847 by brothers Henry, Emanuel, and Mayer Lehman.

Lehman Brothers was the fourth-largest investment bank in the United States. The company had interests in investment banking, research, private equity, and fixed-income sales and trading, among other things.

With the advent of “innovative financial derivatives” thanks also to the macroeconomic policy of the Federal Reserves since the 2000s, to ease economic activities, these financial instruments were brought outside the balance sheets, thus making the overall risk of the financial system much more opaque.

This led to one of the greatest crises we had in the American and global financial history.

Subprime mortgage lending

Four years before the GFC, Lehman Brothers acquired five mortgage lenders including subprime lenders BNC Mortgage and Aurora Loan Services.

These organizations specialized in Alt-A loans which were made to borrowers without full documentation.

The company continued to successfully invest in securitized mortgages in the following years with record profits.

As the housing market started to crash, however, the company’s large stake in mortgage securities made it especially vulnerable.

In February 2007, Lehman Brothers reached a market capitalization of nearly $60 billion at a time when the U.S. housing market was showing signs of further weakness.

Defaults on subprime mortgages rose to a seven-year high in March, but the company publicly stated it was unworried by the developments.

The credit crisis deepens

In August 2007, the crisis deepened with the failure of two Bear Stearns hedge funds.

Lehman Brothers terminated 1,200 mortgage-related jobs and shut down the BNC Mortgage unit it had acquired years earlier.

Despite the housing market correction gaining momentum, Lehman Brothers continued to be active in underwriting mortgage-back securities.

The company amassed an $85 billion portfolio and its share price rebounded as global equity markets and fixed-income asset prices recovered.

Unfortunately, this recovery was only temporary.

Last-ditch attempts

Exposed with its large mortgage securities portfolio, market sentiment turned negative after investors feared another Bear Stearns-like collapse.

Lehman Brothers announced billion-dollar losses in mid-2008, punctuated by multiple capital raisings which boosted liquidity to an estimated $45 billion.

The company also reduced its exposure to residential and commercial mortgages by 20% and decreased gross assets by over $100 billion.

By the summer of 2008, the writing was on the wall. Lehman Brothers attempted to secure further funding from investment partners, but none was forthcoming.

The market became spooked, causing the share price to decline by 77% in the first week of September.

A further decline of 45% occurred after the Korea Development Bank walked away from taking a stake in the company.

Hedge fund clients and short-term creditors then began abandoning the company, with Lehman Brothers announcing a $3.9 billion loss in its third-quarter fiscal report.

In a last-ditch effort to reverse its fortunes, Barclays and the Bank of America tried to facilitate a takeover of Lehman Brothers.

The takeover – which was facilitated by the U.S. government – was unsuccessful and bankruptcy was declared just two days later.

Key takeaways:

Lehman Brothers was a global financial services firm founded in 1847. After more than 150 years in operation, the company entered into the largest bankruptcy proceedings in U.S. history.
Lehman Brothers’ large stake in mortgage securities made it especially vulnerable to the looming credit crisis in 2007. It made a half-hearted effort to reduce its exposure in the industry but continued to be an active player after its share price experienced a temporary rebound.
Market sentiment turned against Lehman Brothers as investors questioned its heavy exposure to mortgage securities. Capital raisings, investment partnerships, and takeover attempts only delayed the inevitable bankruptcy in September 2008.

Quick Timeline

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., a global financial services firm, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 15, 2008, with $613 billion in debt, making it the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history. This event is widely regarded as a key trigger of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).
The company’s collapse was caused by its heavy exposure to subprime mortgage lending. Four years before the crisis, Lehman Brothers had acquired subprime lenders, making it vulnerable as the housing market crashed.
Despite signs of weakness in the U.S. housing market, Lehman Brothers continued to invest in mortgage-backed securities, leading to temporary record profits before the crisis deepened in 2007 with the failure of two Bear Stearns hedge funds.
As the crisis worsened, Lehman Brothers faced billion-dollar losses and attempted to secure further funding from investment partners, but market sentiment turned negative. Hedge fund clients and short-term creditors abandoned the company, leading to bankruptcy.
Last-ditch efforts by Barclays and Bank of America to facilitate a takeover were unsuccessful, and Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy just two days later. The company’s collapse had significant implications for the global financial system, triggering a severe economic downturn.