Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Citi, Morgan Stanley Merge Brokerages

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 13, 2009 5:32 PM CST

(Newser) – Rumors of Citigroup’s plan to merge its brokerage unit with that of Morgan Stanley have proven true, as both companies’ boards approved the move today, CNBC reports. Morgan Stanley will control 51% of the joint venture between its operation and Citi’s Smith Barney. Observers see Stanley’s option to increase its stake later as a sign that Citi will eventually leave the brokerage business entirely.

The merger occurs as the government presses Citigroup to abandon its “financial supermarket model,” where the bank provides soup-to-nuts services to clients. Most of the banks flailing in the financial crisis operated under this model; Citi itself owes the government $45 billion. Today's deal creates the world's largest brokerage firm, with about 20,000 advisers.

Graphic compares Citigroup and Morgan-Stanley.
Graphic compares Citigroup and Morgan-Stanley.   (AP Photo)
Morgan Stanley headquarters in New York.
Morgan Stanley headquarters in New York.   (AP Photo)
The Citigroup Center in New York.
The Citigroup Center in New York.   (AP Photo)
Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit.
Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit.   (AP Photo)
Smith Barney, Citigroup's brokerage division.
Smith Barney, Citigroup's brokerage division.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Citi Cutting 4,500 Jobs

Massachusetts Sues Big Banks Over Mortgage Fraud

S&P Downgrades Credit Ratings of Top US Banks

Geithner Blew Off Obama's Order to Dissolve Citigroup

Ex-Citigroup VP Charged With Embezzling $19.2M


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne