Can someone clear up the confusion on Wells Fargo and Eastdil
I've seen a lot of people posting about Eastdil and Wells Fargo and normally Eastdil is in line for top exit ops. Since Wells Fargo owned Eastdil, are they referring to the same company (Wells Fargo)? Wells Fargo kept Eastdil's real estate investment bankers in the sale. Going forward, will Wells Fargo be considered top in terms of REIB and exit ops? How do the firms differ now?
Wells Fargo acquired Eastdil, Eastdil wasn't happy with their comp structure and led a management buyout, Eastdil and Wells Fargo are now two completely separate entities. Eastdil likes to call themselves REIB, and I wouldn't argue with them, but they don't invest any money. Wells Fargo REIB division does invest money. They were never viewed as the same company, they operated separately and if best practices were in place there would have been a firewall between them (see below).
The idea that Eastdil gave deals to WF and vice versa is not true (or at least not substantiated). Did it happen on occasion? Maybe. But having that as a business plan violates the fiduciary responsibilities of both parties.