Dispatches from tax evasion HQ:
UBS US Wealth Management is laying off significant amounts of employees in the home office today and tomorrow. General estimates are around 300. I have already seen 5 of my friends in the group next to me leave (total group size of 15!) and its only 45 minutes since they began. Cuts are at all levels, mid-senior to analysts. Morale is extremely low.
Cuts are said to have gone down at the Swiss bank today. "Layoffs at UBS IBD, as if moral wasn't low enough at 299 Park. M&A, FIG, TMT affected."
Cuts are said to be coming in the near-ish future. "More layoffs are expected to take place within the next 2-3 weeks with at least 10pct cuts across the board in sales, research and trading. Morale has reached a new all-time low (hard to imagine it could become lower?) and at this point many have the attitude that if they get out now at least they'll get a package out of it."
Unfortunately-timed cuts are said to have gone down this morning. From the front lines: "Over 30 IBD analysts cut at UBS in New York today. 2 days before bonus announcements..."