Morgan Stanley

I worked for Morgan Stanley, Mumbai, in the Tech & Data division (Software Development) for a few years.

For the first 3-4 years, it was a great place to work. There was a focus on technology solutions for the business. People were ethical and genuinely wanted to make a difference. The work environment was open. Also, the firm was doing well in terms of revenue & profits.

But after that, due to bad policy decisions and weak leadership hiring, good and talented people from the business side and the IT side started leaving the firm, and the situation deteriorated.

I do not see any reason for a talented professional to work at Morgan Stanley now. If you really don't care about your learning and only want to be lured by some percentage of hike, then only join Morgan Stanley.

Even in software development divisions, middle & senior management is non-technical or out of touch. Their only focus is to keep their jobs by politics or otherwise. The firm is New York-focused, and teams in the Mumbai office are mere daily wage laborers for them. Facilities for employees are very poor compared to other investment banks & software companies in India, whether it's the salary structure, cafeteria, transportation, or anything else.

There is no parity or logical approach for yearly promotions. It is based on who knows whom. This is the kind of culture that reminds one of a typical government office.

Annual performance reviews and ratings are not transparent.

The Mumbai Tech & Data division has ineffective Managing Directors & Executive Directors, which makes the office full of politics. In the name of local management, they are fooling NY management. They provide no technical help, and they don't have any accountability, but they have full authority over Mumbai employees' career growth. What a pity!

My advice to management is to take a look at other investment banks in India and see how well they are doing, and learn from them.