WHO: SALIL MEHTA is managing director of Second Curve Capital, a New York based company which he co-founded in 2000. Previously he worked at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, and Pequot Capital, one of the largest and fastest growing hedge fund managers. Mehta graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with high honors from the University of California at Davis, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, with a concentration in Finance.

STRATEGY: “We are a bottoms up financial services investment company,” says Mehta. “We are always looking for quarters that are priced like dimes.” In contrary to normal market trends, financial services sectors are weighted differently. “Our approach is like that of Babe Ruth’s,” quips Mehta. “While most investors try to focus on getting a hit every time they get to bat. We don’t care what our batting average is, but we’d like to get as many home runs as possible.” Mehta says his company looks at many areas most people have given up. “We are contrarian in our approach, in that we want maximum returns on our investments.”

PORTFOLIO: As a financial services investment company, Second Curve focuses on money center banks and consumer finance companies. “Consumers are totally rational about their finances; they will always try to repay their mortgages, repair their credit ratings, and return very good numbers,” says Mehta. “We are very keen in this market.”

ADVICE: “Investment is a full time business,” warns Mehta. “Unless you are prepared to devote large portions of your time on your portfolio, you’d be better off with a good investment manager.” Individuals don’t always see the bigger picture nor are able to source indepth information on a particular stock or company, says Mehta. This lack of vision could hinder a proper growth or balance in the portfolio.