Which CEO of Goldman Sachs led the firm during the 2008 financial crisis?

Lloyd Blankfein was the Goldman Sachs CEO who led the firm during the 2008 financial crisis.

Blankfein became Goldman Sachs chairman and CEO in 2006, succeeding Henry Paulson, who left the firm to become U.S. Treasury secretary. A lawyer by training, Blankfein joined Goldman in 1982 through its acquisition of commodities-trading firm J. Aron and later became known for his leadership of the firm’s trading and securities businesses.

During the crisis, Goldman Sachs faced the collapse of major financial institutions, frozen credit markets, and intense scrutiny of investment banks. Under Blankfein, Goldman converted into a bank holding company in September 2008, giving it access to Federal Reserve lending facilities while subjecting it to increased banking regulation.

Blankfein remained CEO until September 30, 2018, when David Solomon succeeded him. The main mix-up is Hank Paulson: Paulson was Goldman’s CEO before the crisis, but Blankfein was the chief executive in 2008.