More on Morgan Stanley’s Private Banking Departures: Two Advisory Firms?

Contributing Editor

7 July 2005

Ex-Morgan Stanley senior relationship managers Tarek Mooro, Fedrick Plyhr, and Eran Ben-Zour are in the process of setting up an investment advisory firm, which is likely to be launched in September, according to sources close to the three. All three are currently on gardening leave since leaving Morgan Stanley in May. The source added that the three “were heavy-hitters and would have taken some assets with then into the new firm.” Mr Mooro specialized in the Middle East, Mr Plyhr covered Scandinavia and Mr Ben-Zour covered Israel. Meanwhile, other recent departures from Morgan Stanley — Matteo Pusineri, Randol Curtis, Andrea Brignone and Carlo Michienzi — are also expected to announce details on their venture, which is expected to be a similar investment advisory business, in the autumn. Merrill Lynch in Italy has just announced the appointment of Riccardo Farisi to its Milan team. Mr Farisi was the former head of the fixed-income department of Morgan Stanley’s private wealth management unit for Europe, the Middle East and Asia.