• 21 Oct 2008 at 4:00 PM

Layoffs Watch ’08: MER

As you’re likely aware, Merrill plans to cut up to 10,000 employees. It’s sick and twisted, but because you asked for it, we’ll be watching the car wreck in every slow motion excruciating detail. Apparently “a number of people in the structured products group” were cut today, and the CDO group was “cleared out” yesterday.

Comments (89)

  1. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:02 PM

    some rates layoff too – first

  2. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:03 PM

    how about Thain??

  3. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:05 PM

    When is citi going to cut?

  4. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:07 PM

    there were people still working in the CDO group? Even the Japanese soldiers eventually found out that WWII was over

  5. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:08 PM

    Doesn’t BofA have a strong structured products group?

  6. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:08 PM

    how about equities?

  7. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:13 PM

    going long on corrugated boxes

  8. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:15 PM

    @3 – prediction is Citi will slash & burn thru groups in first cut by Halloween. Then it’s all out Napalm for selected other groups. There may be a Schindler’s List, though.

  9. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:17 PM

    @8 dude…abrasively comedic with a dash of concentration camp humor ~ nice

  10. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:17 PM

    Bonus numbers for associates?

  11. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:19 PM

    the surviving associates will split 50% of profits as a bonus pool – bwahahahaha

  12. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:19 PM

    @10: 2 packing boxes & an escorted trip to the lobby of the WFC

  13. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:21 PM

    #8 is either Bess, or Bess’ dream man. Flip the coin.

  14. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:21 PM

    @10 – I heard sev was 75% of last year’s bonus plus 3 months salary.

  15. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:23 PM

    @10 Are you even thinking about bonus.. .you got to be kidding me right?

  16. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:23 PM

    I remember the old days of DB bonus numbers – today we speak of sev numbers

  17. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:24 PM

    @10 Are you even thinking about bonus.. .you got to be kidding right?

  18. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:26 PM

    I love how Wall St always saves its biggest cuts right at the very end of bear markets.I’ve seen this play out about 6 times over the past 30 years…every fucking time.In 12 mos, they’ll be rehiring again like nothing ever happened.

  19. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:27 PM

    my bonus: 405/week for 6 months.

  20. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:29 PM

    Karma is a bitch y’all.
    -Engineer

  21. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:32 PM

    2 bucks in the bank bitch. How do you like me now?

  22. Posted by Riskybusiness | October 21, 2008 at 4:32 PM

    @18 – you’ve been on the street for 30 years? What are you doing on this site? Don’t you need an analyst to print out your e-mails and hand them to you?

  23. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:33 PM

    @20
    STFU and fix my maserati

  24. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:34 PM

    @19,
    as part of the most recent Iraq War Spending Bill, unemployment benefits were extended an additional 13 weeks. Also, as part of the stimulus package being discussed Democrats want to extend benefits another 13 weeks.
    Warm Regards,
    Someone in the know

  25. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:36 PM

    @13 – I’m neither. Just an eye-candy chik at a reception desk surfing these blogs all day, as the Dead Men Walking keep shufflin by my desk. I hear it all by the elevators. I’m on a Schindler’s list here, that’s for sure. For real, Dude.

  26. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:39 PM

    @25 – how many did you have to eat to get on the list?

  27. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:41 PM

    @18,
    “very end of the bear market”
    Oh, that was a good laugh.

  28. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:42 PM

    @23, only a complete douchebag would ever ride in a Maserati, nevertheless waste money on one.
    not 20

  29. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 4:49 PM

    @28 the 400hp Quattro is nice
    not 20 either

  30. Posted by mrpink | October 21, 2008 at 5:00 PM

    couple guys i talk(ed) to everyday in FI Swaps are gone.
    Just tried calling/emailing. Their email accounts are off already.
    -mrp

  31. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:01 PM

    @20, Please wash it and fill the tank up too. 23 is gonna have to trade it for a van to park down by the river.

  32. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:04 PM

    @31, 28, 20
    I’m the head of HR. You can’t touch me.

  33. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:11 PM

    No one does layoffs like ibanks.
    – Waiting for someone to assault one of the security gorrilas.

  34. Posted by Anal_yst | October 21, 2008 at 5:17 PM

    Wouldn’t mind a Maserati granturismo-S, very nice, and comp on price to MB SL55, etc.

  35. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:17 PM

    Bonus = January paycheck

  36. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:20 PM

    34 I was standing on the corner of Mad/72 on Saturday and one of those wheeled by. On the sidewalk was a gaggle of Park Avenue trustafarians that looked like the cast of Gossip Girls. One of the guys commented: “thats so suburban”.

  37. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:24 PM

    “Park Avenue trustafarians”
    That would include me, jackass.
    Suck it or fuck it.

  38. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:26 PM

    #20 here
    Engineer ≠ Greasy men in overalls, you narrow-minded mofo.
    Engineer >> Overpaid Excel hacks with *zero* life.
    And what’s a layoff?

  39. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:27 PM

    I took a black to ML every morning my entire Assoc. tenure….
    Never got called on it.

  40. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:28 PM

    why are there park ave trustafarians and engineers here? I think they should go find someplace else to play.

  41. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:33 PM

    Some ML gossip:
    An assoc got busted eating pussy on his desk back in the 90s…an Associatte opened the door…no frosted windows at WFC
    An associatte got busted banging the car guy after the xmas party in ’90s too. He charged her waiting time of 3 hours and used her address on UWS.

  42. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:34 PM

    Are the analysts getting laid off really that upset? Think of this as an opportunity to go pursue something you actually like.

  43. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:39 PM

    @41 share some more
    Bess -we need a now that I no longer work at “–” I would like to share a story topic

  44. Posted by Anal_yst | October 21, 2008 at 5:39 PM

    @ 36
    Not quite sure I get what you’re implying there, that park-ave trusfarians are tools, or that a beautiful maserati-S is “suburban”, whatever that means

  45. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:42 PM

    @ 42 – are you a consultant that just got stuck in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky en route from your satellite office to Traverse City, MI?
    Sounds like you’re really pursuing something you like too. Just be sure to tip at Applebee’s tonight.
    Yes, we like this.

  46. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:46 PM

    @38
    My definition of an engineer is a lackey who does dirty jobs for me like fixing my car and feeding my dog. So STFU and fix my car.
    I’m the head of HR. You can’t touch me.

  47. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:54 PM

    Join us in Silicon Alley. Pays better than an analyst.

  48. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 5:59 PM

    HAHAHA!! I am still laughing at all the useless suckers that got cut on the trading side of our biz. They caused this mess now its time for them to suck cock. It is because of you my bonus will suck.
    I still get to take the black car home every day and you guys better not delay my ride home with the squeegee business you will be running.
    Thats right anyone of you says otherwise come talk to me.I got a cockmeat sandwitch for you guys
    R Liang.

  49. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:00 PM

    R Riang?

  50. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:02 PM

    This place is like a ghost town. Anybody who remembers all those characters who commented here over the past two years will agree with me.

  51. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:03 PM

    What the fuck name is R Liang?

  52. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:04 PM

    R is my first initial DUMB ASS!!

  53. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:07 PM

    50. In the end, this site attracted exactly the kind of people who are now out of a job – low level doucebags who talked a big game, but couldn’t deliver shit. Now they have nothing to show for it.

  54. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:12 PM

    Are Lying or Are Rying. HAHA

  55. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:16 PM

    @55 don’t be a racist prick!!
    There are many people of Asian descent on this site that would be offended by your ‘engrish’ jokes.
    Just because Mr R. Liang is a bad apple and doesnt mean you have to put all of us down.
    How do we even know if he even works at MER???

  56. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:16 PM

    @54 don’t be a racist prick!!
    There are many people of Asian descent on this site that would be offended by your ‘engrish’ jokes.
    Just because Mr R. Liang is a bad apple and doesnt mean you have to put all of us down.
    How do we even know if he even works at MER???

  57. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:17 PM

    Liang, they didn’t make you spell sandwich on your TOEFL test?

  58. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:25 PM

    @48
    That must be the world’s smallest cockmeat sandwich

  59. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:30 PM

    Hey guys I work at the NYMEX right around Liang’s place. Ill let him taste my cockmeat sandwich. Believe me aged meat is great for anyone.

  60. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:30 PM

    Oh it’s all in good funs. I drop R’s all the time to my Asian friends. And they call me crazy round eye.

  61. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:31 PM

    To the cocksucker who just said: too busy to talk. Goodnight. You’re future , and family’s, is fucked.

  62. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:31 PM

    This is why the world hates us bankers.
    Anyone at MER know this clown??

  63. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 6:43 PM

    @61
    “your future”
    you liang cocksucker

  64. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 7:18 PM

    @25 “Just an eye-candy chik at a reception desk surfing”
    pic = proof
    thong or commando?
    SPODE

  65. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 7:18 PM

    had a friend there in SP who got cut, tough times all around

  66. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 7:37 PM

    @52, I don’t think Richard would be dumb enough to put his real name on DB knowing full well that anyone could type his name into the ML directory and see his rank, location, phone number and manager’s name
    I think you’re a 2nd year trying to get this guy fired. lord knows they’re just looking for excuses these days…
    I just hope the real Richard locks his computer when he goes to take a dump

  67. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 9:02 PM

    @45- enjoy getting canned or enjoying your 10K end of year bonus for working 100 hour weeks.

  68. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 9:48 PM

    @54, 55 – be a good chink and submit and don’t wine.

  69. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 10:08 PM

    @18 – You don’t get it… no more investment banks.
    It’s different this time!

  70. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 10:22 PM

    too sad, didn’t read.
    tanned banker

  71. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 11:14 PM

    @56: Oh, he works at MER, alright…he just spelled sandwich using a “t”…

  72. Posted by guest | October 21, 2008 at 11:22 PM

    @58; yeah…”cocktail weenie!”

  73. Posted by guest | October 22, 2008 at 12:07 AM

    @71
    What’s rong with that?
    SPODE

  74. Posted by guest | October 22, 2008 at 12:13 AM

    anyone gonna make a MER video like that LEH one? Post it!
    http://www.weeklyta.blogspot.com

  75. Posted by Goldman Sachs Neophyte | October 22, 2008 at 1:12 AM

    @55, you told yourself not to be a racist prick when you were talking about 54. ROFL, you sir are a dumbass.
    -that guy from Goldman Sachs

  76. Posted by guest | October 22, 2008 at 8:52 AM

    Watch out for lawoffs disquised as performance reviews. It’s quite fashionable to accelerate the reviews and avoid teh stigma of a firm laying off in the face of declining revenue.
    http://endofesq.com/?p=386

  77. Posted by guest | October 22, 2008 at 8:54 AM

    R. Liang = Richard Liang. 212-448-8104. He’s at MER.

  78. Posted by guest | October 22, 2008 at 9:00 AM

    i weep for the future

  79. Posted by guest | October 22, 2008 at 9:01 AM

    @77
    Well, Obviously the real richard liang is not stupid enough to make it so obvious right? This troll is probably someone with an axe (against liang) to grind.
    Nevertheless, you should still give him a call.

  80. Posted by guest | October 22, 2008 at 9:06 AM

    Thain’s got a nicely cushioned nest as CEO of GWIM at Back office of America. Too bad no one lasts longer than 6 months in this position.

  81. Posted by guest | October 22, 2008 at 9:26 AM

    Go long egg rolls, short hamburgers.

  82. Posted by guest | October 22, 2008 at 9:34 AM

    Whoever saw fit to pose as the harmless “R. Liang” is def someone who’s quite accustomed to eating D’s on the regular. You’re pissed b/c Liang dominated you at a “team meeting” and this is your way of firing back? If you were a man, you’d just jack him up. But you hide. I hope the entire Liang family (on their way to the states right now via steel cargo container) gets to serve you cocktail weeners thru your air-tight back door.
    For those still at MER, best of luck. For those who have departed MER, godspeed- I really wish you all the best.

  83. Posted by guest | October 22, 2008 at 9:34 AM

    @79 yeah, it’s obviously some non-asian guy posting these comments.
    “that guy from goldman sachs” is a total douchebag.
    G Moszkowski.

  84. Posted by guest | October 22, 2008 at 9:42 AM

    If Liang has a sister and she is named Pepsi or Rose, I’ve met her at a massage parlor.

  85. Posted by guest | October 29, 2008 at 10:48 PM

    I used to work at MER.
    Don’t feel to sorry for these #@$%$%#$.
    There is maybe, one or two people there who are not COMPLETE sacks of @#$@#$.
    Almost all the people who are about to get it in the neck, are arrogant, incompetent d-bags who are about to find out exactly what they are worth (when they get their first unemployment check.)
    Soon to be ex-MLers – try not to spend it all in one place.

  86. Posted by guest | November 2, 2008 at 11:40 PM

    That fucking dooshbag Jim Forbes @ML is the next layoff. For fucking too many of the temps and associates and pulling Spitzer like hooker affairs. Good riddens moron.

  87. Posted by guest | November 5, 2008 at 9:01 PM

    Peeps, check out LayoffGossip.com. Amex just shittcanned ME!

  88. Posted by guest | December 1, 2008 at 11:31 AM

    Can somebody “in the know” at ML or BofA please show some decency and tell us what is going on with timing/number/focus of layoffs? The rank and file have received virtually no communications internally.

  89. Posted by guest | February 12, 2009 at 6:46 AM

    Everyone is expecting recession getting over soon. I have a very close friend, who graduated from Harvard. Worked for ML for over 8 years, recently he’s been “right sized” too, despite of his outstanding performance and the increasing revenue he generated. OMG, now the banking industry is badly hurt, how long it would take for those financial background guys like him get back to the job market. Banking jobs are not there as much as before as easily seen on http://www.joboutlets.com and other job sites in the region

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