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Morgan Stanley Dumps Cruz Over Subprime

One of Wall Street's most powerful women is latest casualty

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Nov 30, 2007 8:51 AM CST

(Newser) – Morgan Stanley co-president Zoe Cruz has joined the ranks of subprime casualties, after the broker suffered $3.7 billion in mortgage-related losses in the first two months of the fourth quarter. Insiders said her leadership style and her 2005 backing of unpopular CEO Philip Purcell, who eventually was ousted, also contributed to her firing, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Cruz, 52, one of the most powerful women on Wall Street, joins several other high-powered financial executives humbled by the subprime crisis, losing their jobs “whether they are rising stars or not.” One analyst said the move portends Morgan Stanley releasing “larger than expected losses" at the quarter’s close. Cruz, a 25-year company veteran, had been considered a leading candidate to be Morgan Stanley's next CEO.

Morgan Stanley CEO Philip Purcell ousted.
Morgan Stanley CEO Philip Purcell ousted.   (Getty Images)
The Morgan Stanley building is shown in this June 19, 2007 file photo in New York. The financial world is anxiously waiting as four of the biggest U.S. investment banks prepare to report third-quarter earnings in the next several days. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)
The Morgan Stanley building is shown in this June 19, 2007 file photo in New York. The financial world is anxiously waiting as four of the biggest U.S. investment banks prepare to report third-quarter...   (Associated Press)
John Mack, CEO of Morgan Stanley, attends the Committee of 100 Conference in this file photo from April 20, 2007 in New York. Morgan Stanley reported on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007 that third-quarter profits sank 17 percent, as the No. 2 U.S. investment bank was hurt by a global...
John Mack, CEO of Morgan Stanley, attends the Committee of 100 Conference in this file photo from April 20, 2007 in New York. Morgan Stanley reported on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007 that third-quarter profits...   (Associated Press)
Morgan Stanley co-President Zoe Cruz is seen in this undated photo provided by Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley said Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, that Cruz, one of the highest-ranking women on Wall Street, will leave the investment bank in the latest management shakeup since the summer's credit turmoil. She had been...
Morgan Stanley co-President Zoe Cruz is seen in this undated photo provided by Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley said Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, that Cruz, one of the highest-ranking women on Wall Street,...   (Associated Press)
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