Morgan Stanley Reviews in London, UK Area

Pros

- Quality of colleagues/staff
- Financial rewards
- Team oriented management style
- Brand/ impact with clients
- Global franchise with huge career opportunities

Cons

- As all other global financial institutions, it is going through a period of deep rethinking of the business model and restructuring
- The decision making process on careers/rewards can sometime be quite political

Advice to Senior Management

Top management is top quality and is doing the right things. Second tier management could benefit from more strategic and long term approach.

Pros

Good Reputation
Low Attrition (so far)
Hardworking teams

Cons

Compensation
Poor Communication
Strategy changing course regularly
Offshoring focused on low quality locations

Advice to Senior Management

Dont squeeze the little guys in ops they are keeping the wheels turning. Comps of below 5K to Zero is way too harsh!!

Pros

There is a lot of support available
The people are very friendly and honest
You get a lot of exposure really quickly

Cons

There is still a high amount of pressure because it is an investment bank.

Pros

Smart people
Reputation earned from really really hard work

Cons

Not feeling valued at the workplace, merely part of a big machine delivering products whether motivated or not
Little life outside of work

Advice to Senior Management

Encourage staff to interact more in different areas of the business, even outside of their own division. It will be great to see this materializes as a culture not just staying on paper

Pros

Given their strong reputation/brand image this acts as a good foundation or stepping stone for anyone who's interested in getting experience.

Cons

It is another large bulge bracket firm which means there's significant internal politics. Working hours are also quite long so be prepared!

Pros

Good people culture, good work-life balance.

Cons

Professional and career development can be hampered depending on the attitude of your direct line manager.

Advice to Senior Management

Need to stabilise and strengthen senior management population. Improve salary competitiveness with the competition to retain the best we have.

Pros

Good insight into investment banking, learn alot. Looks good on CV

Cons

No appreciation for hard work - it is just expected. PAs not respected enough, no transition opportunities and bonuses terrible.

Advice to Senior Management

Treat PAs with greater respect and include in the same benefits pool as the fund managers and use their knowledge and expertise better - without PAs no company would operate successfully.

Pros

lots of opportunity on different departments

Cons

a large network, lots of research

Advice to Senior Management

less politics

Pros

decent colleagues to work with, shame about the management.

Cons

management aren't very useful. too worried about their own jobs.

Pros

Challenging tasks, Good compensation, Nice place to work

Cons

Sometimes too much stress, poor communication from senior management

Advice to Senior Management

Needs to be more committed towards employees