wilmott.com

Can anyone explain the business structure in the big investment banks? That is which areas are they in (M&A, derivatives etc.) - more specific?

EDGAR filings may give you some info on thise.g.fromMORGAN STANLEYMorgan Stanley (the "Company") is a global financial services firm thatmaintains leading market positions in each of its businesssegments--Institutional Securities, Individual Investor Group, InvestmentManagement and Credit Services. The Company's Institutional Securities businessincludes securities underwriting and distribution; financial advisory services,including advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, real estate andproject finance; sales, trading, financing and market-making activities inequity securities and related products and fixed income securities and relatedproducts, including foreign exchange and commodities; principal investing,including private equity activities; and aircraft financing activities. TheCompany's Individual Investor Group business provides comprehensive financialplanning and investment advisory services designed to accommodate individualinvestment goals and risk profiles. The Individual Investor Group provides itsclients with several investment and credit products and services, includingmutual funds, insurance products, financial planning, retirement planning,personal trust and estate planning, credit management and account services. TheCompany's Investment Management business provides global asset managementproducts and services for individual and institutional investors through threeprincipal distribution channels: a proprietary channel consisting of theCompany's financial advisors and investment representatives; a non-proprietarychannel consisting of third-party broker-dealers, banks, financial planners andother intermediaries; and the Company's institutional channel. The Company'sCredit Services business includes the issuance of the Discover(R) Classic Card,the Discover Gold Card, the Discover Platinum Card, the Morgan Stanley Card/SM/and other proprietary general purpose credit cards; and the operation ofDiscover Business Services, a proprietary network of merchant and cash accesslocations in the U.S.