So who would have bought Goldman?

18 September 2008

1 minute read

Morgan Stanley is rumoured to be in talks with anyone with a deposit base and cash to spare (AKA Wachovia and CIC but apparently NOT Citic and HSBC), so where does this leave Goldman?

The clear danger is that once MS has been given shelter by a cosy universal banking operation, Goldman will be out in the cold as a lone broker dealer among the pack of predatory shorters.

Only yesterday, Goldman CFO David Viniar told Reuters that buying a commercial bank was uncalled for: "The capital markets businesses that we do, and that our commercial bank competitors do, are all funded in the capital markets - by us and by them."

Is Goldman about to be in a position to be bought? And if so, by whom? Speculate freely below.

(Note for pedants: this is technically a debate but we currently have a poll in the debate slot, so we're breaking the rules in these rule-breaking times.)

AUTHOReFinancialCareers UK

Insider Comment

Pa
Paul E Becke
19 September 2008
On the issue of who would buy GS (and events change by the hour) I would have thought that if the stock price would have got down to $60/$70 i would have thought the old partners and deep pocket clients would be calling for GS to be taken private again.
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Ru
Rupert
18 September 2008
Why's everyone going on about Henry? Next thing you'll want is his autograph. Please stick to the article.
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FT
FTJ
18 September 2008
Cooo-eee, Henry, where are you? Recruiters are preaching, people are commenting on Goldmans - so many opportunities for another of your trite and over-opinionated comments. Loved the one in "You WILL get rehired"...
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Jo
John
18 September 2008
As it was once said GS made more money than god, maybe he'll put in a derisory offer! Devine payback?
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jo
johnny
18 September 2008
gee the silence is deafening from Henry on this blog....
perhap his list of firm's with prestige and kudos isn't quite what he though it was.
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