4 Life Lessons from My Tour of the New York Stock Exchange

Last Tuesday I lived a dream come true:  I spent two hours on a private tour of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). 

Since 9/11, visitors to the Stock Exchange must go through a background check, pass a security inspection, present ID, and go through metal detectors.  The visitor’s gallery is closed now, so guests must be sponsored by a floor broker or director and escorted their entire visit.  Director, Kevin G. McCarthy, sponsored my tour.  How did I know Mr. McCarthy?  I didn’t.  My introduction to him was facilitated by Denis Walsh, President of Money Concepts, my broker dealer.  Mr. Walsh in turn, made a request to Pershing, the world’s largest custodian of stock and bonds (owned by the Bank of New York) and they made my introduction to Mr. McCarthy. 

So, what did I learn?