For the 2008 holiday season, most financial institutions canceled or drastically downsized their office parties to one communal bag of chips. Fine. Last year, despite the shit somewhat receding from the fan, The People still had scalding hot pokers up Wall Street’s ass and many firms once again said no, some even to employees partying on their own, out of self-preservation. For 2010, however, we figured the dry-spell was over. Disturbingly, such is not the case.

With investment bankers scrambling to lock in those end-of-the year deals and politicians frowning on anything that smacks of Wall Street celebration, it’s no wonder many have opted to take a Grinch-like party pass. The banks that are not holding holiday parties include Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, JP Morgan, Citigroup, and UBS…Goldman Sachs, Lazard, and Deutsche Bank were also contacted, but could not confirm if they were having parties.

According to one expert in the field of office holiday parties, “employees would rather have the compensation.” She doesn’t see them “coming back” because they’re “not a retention tool [like bonuses]and the firms are worried about that right now.” Which, sure, we get the whole desired to be paid and are all for it but come on! The opportunity to get drunk and spend even more time than you already have to with people you despise, possibly groping them in the process, is a god-given right and one you’ve gone without for too long.

If your firm, be it bank, hedge fund or otherwise, is bucking what alarmingly seems to be becoming a trend, let us know so we can celebrate it as an example of an organization that knows the score.

Wall Street Takes A Holiday Party Pass [TSC]

Comments (16)

  1. Posted by PasteSpecialFormats | November 29, 2010 at 4:13 PM

    At my request, we’re holding our’s in the Englewood Cliffs SPCA.

    -You Know Who

  2. Posted by Homosaurus | November 29, 2010 at 4:19 PM

    Deborah Lee will be performing at our holiday party.

    -Primerica Associate

  3. Posted by Guest | November 29, 2010 at 4:20 PM

    good, except that he works at Fox Biz now.

  4. Posted by Chuddy | November 29, 2010 at 4:28 PM

    We are giving each employee 3mhz of spectrum this year in lieu of actual money.

    Happy Holidays.
    Phil

  5. Posted by Dr. Rosenrose | November 29, 2010 at 4:43 PM

    Our Holiday Party is going to consist of a select group of alcoholics playing Edward Loko-Hands in the office after most have left for the day. I miss 2006.

  6. Posted by AIG Humorist | November 29, 2010 at 4:47 PM

    There’s going to be a party in my pants. Everyone will be invited.

  7. Posted by Herb and Marion Sandler | November 29, 2010 at 4:58 PM

    Not to worry, we are having our biggest Holiday party since 2006 and the theme this year will be “Pick-A-Party” we have lined up John Thain & Angelo Mozilo to give a presentation on getting the best valuation for your company. Everyone’s invited, but invites will go out only 2 hours before the party so you have to make a quick decision.

  8. Posted by Ping | November 29, 2010 at 5:01 PM

    Make each day your own personal holiday party!

  9. Posted by Terri Schaivo | November 29, 2010 at 5:41 PM

    6 cases of the banquet beer, 3 assorted meat, cheese and veggie platters courtesy of Costco in conference room B with the VP of HR’s Ipod dock in tow…FTW

  10. Posted by Guest | November 29, 2010 at 5:52 PM

    Groping the hot chick from product marketing, while bosses look the other way in lieu of monetary compensation is the NKI

  11. Posted by Drunk MD | November 29, 2010 at 6:42 PM

    Christmas parties are nothing but liabilities waiting to happen

  12. Posted by xel | November 29, 2010 at 7:16 PM

    UBS?

  13. Posted by xel | November 29, 2010 at 7:17 PM

    would you like to buy an annuity from us?

    - AIG

  14. Posted by Alharmon | May 5, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    is that tim thomas?

  15. Posted by Joefataloni | July 8, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    is that  ed Finkelsteins  former  gay  slave  tim thomas?

  16. Posted by Joefataloni | July 8, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    is that  ed Finkelsteins  former  gay  slave  tim thomas?

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