RSS Feed
Twitter
Facebook
Email
HomeThe Cost of Doing Business
Posted by Larry Doyle on July 28th, 2010 7:15 AM |
It takes money to make money.
Simple business principle, correct? A basic, fundamental business tenet, right?
Well if the money it ‘takes’ is used to pay inordinate fines and penalties resulting from management’s willingness to jeopardize reputation and principle in pursuit of profit, what does that say about the business enterprise itself?
Will the $550 million fine recently imposed on Goldman Sachs fundamentally change the manner in which Goldman engages clients and operates its business? I have chuckled more than a few times upon reading that Goldman’s mortgage employees involved in the structuring, trading, and sales of the securities at the center of this entire debacle will have to undergo continuing education type classes. These classes are truly nothing more than a ‘check the box’ perfunctory exercise. Honestly, I would love to be a fly on the wall during these classes as I am sure some of the material covered and accompanying discussions would provide real comedic fodder. (more…)
A Wall Street Insider’s Views on Goldman Sachs
Posted by Larry Doyle on April 16th, 2010 1:45 PM |
Given the extraordinary interest in the SEC charging Goldman Sachs with fraud, I am compelled to provide a compilation of my writing on Goldman going back over the last year. Although many may view Goldman as one massive conspiracy, I have never been one to paint an entire organization (or industry) with a broad brush. That said, I have been aggressive in questioning Goldman’s comfort level in jeopardizing its reputation in pursuit of profit. I said as much in a public interview on CNBC last month.
Goldman’s close, if not incestuous, relationships with Washington, many hedge funds, and major clients has positioned the firm as the centerpiece of America’s outrage toward Wall Street. To that end, for those interested in my views of Goldman Sachs, I am happy to provide the following links from the Sense on Cents archives: (more…)
Will Goldman Sachs Be Bulls, Bears, or Pigs?
Posted by Larry Doyle on August 21st, 2009 4:46 PM |
There is no doubt that Goldman Sachs is currently the preeminent shop on Wall Street. JP Morgan is a respectable second. I am not sure if there is a close third.
Despite Goldman’s resurgence, they have a major problem — that being their public image. What are some of Goldman’s issues? They include:
1. the firm’s close ties with Washington insiders . . .
2.their agggressive trading and risk profile . . .
3. the proprietary nature of their business . . .
4. the mere fact that they have made so much money (with the assistance and in the presence of Uncle Sam), while the economy continues to suffer . . .
Charlie Gasparino of CNBC addresses a number of these points as well as the fact that Goldman will likely face the public’s wrath when they pay out billions in bonuses come year end. The Goldman execs exacerbate the situation by playing the ethnic angle as Gasparino writes, Goldman Execs Blame Anti-Semitism. In my opinion, Goldman makes a huge mistake playing that card.
The fact is the public sees Goldman specifically and Wall Street in general benefitting from taxpayer dollars injected into the system along with a host of Fed and Treasury programs. While Goldman has paid back its TARP funds, they have still benefitted from financing backed by the FDIC. Moreso than direct benefits to the firm, Goldman has clearly benefitted indirectly from the gamut of Uncle Sam’s largesse.
Uncle Sam clearly has a large amount of ‘skin in the game.’ Goldman can address its image and burgeoning reputation problem by increasing its own ‘skin in the game.’ How can they achieve this? They should compensate employees in stock to a much greater extent and have that stock vest over a longer time period.
Typically, senior executives, traders, and bankers are paid approximately 35% in stock and the stock would vest over a three year time frame. As such, individuals would typically have one year’s worth of compensation tied up in the firm.
Let’s see Goldman pay people 65-70% in stock and have it vest over a 5 to 6 year time frame. If Goldman is concerned about losing people, that pay structure would serve as a real disincentive for other firms to hire Goldman people. Make no mistake, Goldman employees would NOT be happy to be paid in this format . . . BUT there would be plenty of people on Wall Street who would take that pay structure right now to work at Goldman Sachs.
Goldman has the opportunity through this bonus cycle to display whether they are bulls, bears, or pigs.
LD
