Layoffs seen skyrocketing in wake of turmoil

Following this weekend’s turmoil on Wall Street, financial-sector job cuts may hit new heights, according to a report from Challenger Gray & Christmas Inc. of Chicago.
SEP 15, 2008
By  Bloomberg
Following this weekend’s turmoil on Wall Street, financial-sector job cuts may hit new heights, according to a report from Challenger Gray & Christmas Inc. of Chicago. The employment consultancy firm said that the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. of New York and the sale of Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. of New York to Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America Corp. would lead to even more layoffs. The sector has already chopped 102,957 positions this year, with 2,182 cuts in August. Challenger Gray predicts that a spike in yearend layoffs set off by this weekend’s actions could mean that 2008 job losses will top 2007’s record total of 153,105. In the past 12 months, Citigroup of New York led Wall Street with an announced 19,859 layoffs between August 2007 and August 2008. Meanwhile, Wachovia Corp. of Charlotte, N.C. came in second with 11,250 announced job cuts, followed by the combined New York-based JPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc. and The Bear Stearns Cos. Inc, with an announced 9,000 terminations.

Latest News

The 2025 InvestmentNews Awards Excellence Awardees revealed
The 2025 InvestmentNews Awards Excellence Awardees revealed

From outstanding individuals to innovative organizations, find out who made the final shortlist for top honors at the IN awards, now in its second year.

Top RIA Cresset warns of 'inevitable' recession amid tariff uncertainty
Top RIA Cresset warns of 'inevitable' recession amid tariff uncertainty

Cresset's Susie Cranston is expecting an economic recession, but says her $65 billion RIA sees "great opportunity" to keep investing in a down market.

Edward Jones joins the crowd to sell more alternative investments
Edward Jones joins the crowd to sell more alternative investments

“There’s a big pull to alternative investments right now because of volatility of the stock market,” Kevin Gannon, CEO of Robert A. Stanger & Co., said.

Record RIA M&A activity marks strong start to 2025
Record RIA M&A activity marks strong start to 2025

Sellers shift focus: It's not about succession anymore.

IB+ Data Hub offers strategic edge for U.S. wealth advisors and RIAs advising business clients
IB+ Data Hub offers strategic edge for U.S. wealth advisors and RIAs advising business clients

Platform being adopted by independent-minded advisors who see insurance as a core pillar of their business.

SPONSORED Compliance in real time: Technology's expanding role in RIA oversight

RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.

SPONSORED Advisory firms confront crossroads amid historic wealth transfer

As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.