Howard Marks signs a bound set of his memos for the Museum of American Finance.
New York, NY: The Museum of American Finance, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, today announced that Howard Marks and Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”) have donated a complete bound set of Mr. Marks’s memos in honor of the 35th anniversary of his first memo. The set, inscribed by Mr. Marks, will become part of the Museum’s permanent collection.
October 12 marks 35 years since Mr. Marks mailed his first memo with candid commentary on the market environment to clients in 1990. Since then, he has authored around 160 public memos, which are followed by a global audience of investors, business leaders, and academics, and regarded as some of the most influential writings in modern finance, including Warren Buffett.
A full compendium of Howard’s memos is available on Oaktree’s website. Mr. Marks and Oaktree have also released a special curated edition, The Best of..., featuring those memos determined as most impactful by Mr. Marks, each accompanied by a short introduction contextualizing the enduring relevance of his insights in today’s market environment.
Mr. Marks, co-chairman and co-founder of Oaktree, was recognized in 2024 by the Museum of American Finance with its Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the financial community.
“We are thrilled to house these seminal works within the Museum’s permanent collection,” said David Cowen, President and CEO of the Museum of American Finance. “As the preeminent institution chronicling the evolution of American finance, we are committed to preserving and sharing the ideas that have profoundly shaped markets and investor behavior – and Howard Marks’ memos achieve exactly that.”
“In writing my memos, I’ve always aimed to make complex ideas clear and accessible to anyone interested in finance – not just professionals,” said Mr. Marks. “It’s an honor to see this collection find a permanent home at the Museum of American Finance.”
About the Museum of American Finance
As a socially relevant organization, the Museum of American Finance seeks to improve understanding of the influence of financial institutions and capital markets on the US and global economies, and on individuals’ lives. The nation’s only independent museum dedicated to finance and financial history educates the public through exhibits, financial literacy programs and public events. The Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, seeks to empower individuals of all backgrounds to strive toward financial independence, while encouraging curiosity and discovery. For more information, visit www.moaf.org or connect with the Museum on social media @FinanceMuseum.
About Oaktree Capital Management
Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $209 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2025. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented, and risk-controlled approach to investments in credit, equity, and real estate. The firm has more than 1,450 employees and offices in 26 cities worldwide. For additional information, please visit Oaktree’s website at http://www.oaktreecapital.com/.