Deal Toys: Investment Bankers' Collectible Trophies
Investment bankers celebrate deal closures with small, custom "deal toys." These desk trinkets have evolved into a multi-million dollar industry.
Within the investment banking industry, a unique tradition has emerged to commemorate successful corporate transactions: "deal toys." These small, often customized objects, such as figurines or other desk ornaments, serve as mementos for completed deals.
Originally, deals were documented through small newspaper advertisements known as "tombstone ads." However, in the 1970s, bankers began embedding deal information into lucite or acrylic to create more permanent keepsakes. The industry has since grown to encompass dozens of manufacturers and is now valued at approximately $60 million.
Modern deal toys can be highly intricate and visually striking. Manufacturers utilize technologies like 3D printing to create objects that reflect the focus of the deal, such as cryptocurrency symbols, game consoles, or architectural structures. Significant mergers and upcoming initial public offerings are increasingly marked with these elaborate items.
The industry's growth has been fueled by factors including the tech boom and corporate consolidation trends. While the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 led to a temporary downturn due to increased spending scrutiny, the deal toy market has since experienced a strong rebound. The sector is expected to continue its expansion as large-scale transactions and IPOs persist.