It may be hard to remember, but once upon a time the holiday season was an exciting time to work on Wall Street (and in corporate America).
And by exciting we mean the parties were out of this world.
Think: Back in 2009, Deutsche Bank held its holiday on the roof of 230 5th. There was an open bar, and the bank even hired a ferry to transport bankers from their offices down in the Financial District, to Gramercy.
Even then, though, the Deutsche bankers were among the lucky ones. That year, Goldman had canceled its holiday party for the second year in a row, and today, everyone is still feeling the burn. No one knows when the glory days will return.
It's hard, but in the meantime, let's make sure that everyone remembers how to party by taking down a walk down memory lane (the good times may come back, right?). Also, lets take a look at the few companies that are back in the swing of things.
Morgan Stanley
2007: the bank had a wild bash for its employees at swank (and now defunct) club Lotus in the Meatpacking District.
Today: The only party in sight was a good-bye party for former CEO John Mack. It was so packed, that not even some of the bankers could get in.
Source: Net Net, CNBC
Viacom
2007: The company had a raucous party at Hammerstein Ballroom
Today: Not terrible. According to The NY Post, Viacom held their holiday party at the Roseland Ballroom. But they had a "town hall" session with their CEO Philippe Dauman and COO Tom Dooley first. Apparently they gave corporate style state of the company presentations.
Hearst
2007: The magazine publisher held a party at its headquarters in Hearst Tower. Remember: there's a 3-story waterfall in the atrium. Even that, though, is scaled back compared to the parties they used to have at Tavern On The Green.
Today: No party.
Source: WWD
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Please follow Clusterstock on Twitter and Facebook.