JPMorgan Tries to Keep Top Bear Staff

Since the March 16 buyout of Bear Stearns by JPMorgan Chase, Morgan scouts have been “all over” Bear’s staff, looking for the best and brightest members.

In much the same way that the United States and Russia gathered up all the best German scientists during and after World War II, the world’s top investment banks are eager to offer a home to Bear’s refugees.

JPMorgan CEO James Dimon reportedly met with hundreds of Bear Stearns executives on Wednesday and proposed lucrative bonuses to those employees who agreed to stay with Morgan after the buyout receives approval from shareholders.

“At this point in my career, I’m not worried about my job,” one top Bear executive told MME Wednesday in Boston. “If you live your life with integrity and do the best, most honest job you can, others will recognize your importance. There will always be a need for talented individuals in this world.”