Worst boss in finance?
Who makes your list for the worst boss in finance? Could be someone you worked under, someone whose scandals made the press, or just an industry name everyone quietly avoids. A few classics:
- Crispin Odey – Ran a hedge fund like it was his personal fiefdom. Multiple women accused him of assault. Took down the whole firm on his way out.
- Sage Kelly – Allegedly turned Jefferies’ healthcare team into a Wolf of Wall Street spin-off. Coke, escorts, client bonding. Left, came back.
- Howard Rubin – From Soros PM to Manhattan dungeon lord. Facing lawsuits that read like horror films.
- Palden Gyurmed Namgyal – JPM MD and actual royalty. Fired for harassing a colleague. Not quite the fairytale ending.
- Jim Cramer – Before he was yelling at retail on CNBC, he was allegedly throwing phones at his own team. Probably still yells just as much.
- Jeffrey Epstein – No explanation needed.
There are probably a dozen more whose names never made it past the intern group chat. Who else belongs on this list? Any horror stories from desks that never made the FT?
Based on the most discussed WSO threads, here are some notorious mentions and horror stories that align with your query:
Stereotypical "Sh*thead Banker": A Managing Director (MD) described in WSO threads as embodying extreme selfishness, lack of character, and a massive ego. Known for leading employees to believe they were excelling, only to berate them during private year-end reviews and give low ratings based on office politics.
Everclear Margaritas and Rage: An ex-professional athlete turned boss who hid from his family at the office, drank heavily, and unleashed his rage on analysts. Known for hazing employees with Everclear margaritas at lunch and expecting them to return to work on complex models.
Houlihan Lokey Chicago: This office reportedly had a toxic environment where interns were overworked and harassed, only to be denied return offers. A reputation for being a negative and grueling place to work.
Jefferies NY IBD Group Head: A group head infamous for micromanaging and enforcing strict dress codes even on weekends. Once sent analysts home to change into suits after spotting them in casual attire on a Saturday evening.
VP Mouse Saboteur: A VP who removed computer mice from junior employees' desks, forcing them to navigate systems and build models without them. This was paired with mandatory reading and testing on valuation books.
Senior Bankers with Verbal Abuse: Stories of senior bankers calling analysts derogatory names like "stupid POS" and "waste of space." One banker’s rage was so intense that a colleague considered calling the police out of concern for his safety.
These examples highlight the extreme and often toxic behavior that has been shared in finance circles. If you’re looking for more detailed anecdotes, WSO threads are a treasure trove of such stories.
Sources: Notorious Investment Banking Groups and War Stories, WORST Boss Experience? Can You Beat This?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/notorious-investment-banking-groups-and-war-stories?customgpt=1, Q&A: 3rd Year PE Associate ($10bn+ AUM, MBO/LBO, equity, mezz, distressed debt)
You forgot Wells Fargo. No specific business line or manager, just the institution as a whole.
Not directly finance but Robert Maxwell and Murdoch gotta be up there
Put some respect on the “sage” Sage Kelly
BofA FIG
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