Morgan Stanley’s Gorman faces up to his latest challenge

Since the beginning of 2006, Morgan Stanley’s private wealth management business has been streamlined into a slicker, more profitable business. Total client assets have increased from $624 billion to $734 billion, and quarterly profits before tax have increased from $20 million to $287 million. Helen Avery talks to Morgan Stanley’s co-president, president and chief operating officer of global wealth management, James Gorman, on how he turned Morgan Stanley’s wealth management business around, the firm’s plans for the future, and his thoughts on the private banking industry.

Private banking 2008: When the ultra-wealthy bump into the sub-prime 

James Gorman, Morgan Stanley

“We’re happy to make necessary investments to experience growth, even if it means somewhat lower profitability, and so will certainly consider acquisitions”
James Gorman, Morgan Stanley

When you arrived at Morgan Stanley from Merrill Lynch almost two years ago, the wealth management business had been neglected. What were the challenges that faced you?

There were certainly a lot of problems facing the wealth management business at the beginning of 2006.

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