LAKE FOREST, Ill.—Michael Moebs, a well-known and highly respected economist and pricing expert, passed away peacefully on May 15 at his home in Lake Forest, Ill.
Mr. Moebs was economist and chairman of Moebs $ervices, Inc., a private economic research firm he founded in 1983 to serve financial institutions, academia, consumer advocates, government organizations and clients worldwide. He was also a regular contributor to CUToday.info.
“Mike’s unique brand of creativity and business intelligence reflected his visionary approach to the world of finance and banking,” stated J.V. Proesel, president of Moebs $ervices.
Born on the Southside of Chicago, Mr. Moebs’ formidable years were shaped from his Catholic education and working in his family’s saloon and package liquor business. He earned his undergraduate degree and CPA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He did his graduate work at the University of Chicago where he studied under Nobel Laureates Milton Friedman and George Stigler, creators of the “Chicago School” of free market economics.
Mr. Moebs' deep understanding of economics and commitment to helping others navigate financial systems earned him the respect of colleagues and clients globally.
“I am blessed to have worked alongside Mike nearly every day for over twenty years,” said Proesel. “Mike was my mentor and business partner, but foremost a true friend.”
An entrepreneur, inventor, pricing expert, and business leader, Mr. Moebs led a long, successful career putting his vast knowledge into work for the financial services industry. He developed several patents and trademarks used in financial services internationally, most notably the Debit Score risk identification system and the Pricing Institute, Proesel said.
Mr. Moebs is the author of 20 books, his Pricing Financial Services, published by Dow Jones, is the industry standard. Prior to establishing Moebs $ervices, he served as a bank president, COO of a 14-bank holding company, director of a credit union, and director of seven banks.
“Mike’s passion, humor and direct nature will be remembered by hundreds of people Moebs $ervices has employed over several decades. Among his proudest achievements is paying for the education of more than a dozen employees,” Proesel explained.
“I was attracted to Moebs $ervices by Mike’s business intelligence, creativity, humor and his counter-intuitive approach rooted in classic economic principles,” continued Proesel. “Over time, I was most impressed by how deeply Mike cherished and supported his friends, colleagues and professional relationships.”
Turning over the operations of the firm in 2022 allowed Mr. Moebs to focus his time on researching, writing, and mentoring new employees.
“Mike ‘died in the saddle’ as he wanted and often predicted,” said Proesel. “As the humble prairie economist, Mike published his final article the day he passed. We are honored to continue Mike’s legacy. I look forward, along with Elizabeth Hamlin, Tracy Pisano, Mac McCaleb and the entire Moebs $ervices staff to serve our clients and the industry for another 40 successful years.
“Mike’s legacy lives on in his family and his company Moebs $ervices and the thousands of people that are fortunate to call Mike a friend, mentor and colleague,” concluded Proesel.