Lunchtime Links: The persecution of Matthew Greenburgh

Forget giant squids and bonus crazed bogeymen, Bloomberg has unearthed a more anthropomorphic entity behind the financial crisis: Matthew Greenburgh.

It turns out that Greenburgh, a Merrill Lynch M&A banker, advised both Fred Goodwin on the fateful acquisition of ABN AMRO and Eric Daniels on the fateful acquisition of HBOS. According to retired RBS chairman George Mathewson, Greenburgh was closer to Goodwin than, "any other investment banker."

Greenburgh appears to have done well from his efforts. Bloomberg quotes, 'two people with knowledge of the matter,' who say he earned more than $10m in 2007. He's also the proud owner of a 3m+ house in Hampstead and a 650k+ estate in Sussex.

Needless to say, there are now calls for retribution - including from Mathewson, who says M&A bankers are paid too much.

UK rules out a bonus tax, opts for heavy capital penalties. (Financial Times)

Why bonuses are good news for the New York economy. (Bloomberg )

"We contribute to growth," Blankfein said. "Once the economy starts to turn, we get very involved." (CNN)

Bob Diamond does not want to be chief exec of BofA. (CNN)

Hedge funds run by women have fallen half as much as those managed by men. (Guardian)

PWC has charged 154m in fees for winding up Lehman; the average hourly rate per administrator is now 309. (Financial Times)

Blackstone said to be having problems raising money for a new buyout fund. (New York Post)

Yes, too many overpaid overly-intelligent people caused the financial crisis. (BaselineScenario)

Dresdner strategist joins Nouriel Roubini. (Reuters)

Research renegades. (Bloomberg)