Morgan Stanley CFO Deputy Akram to Resign

NEW YORK – Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) disclosed Friday that Raja Akram, the company’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller, has decided to step down. Akram, who has been integral to the financial leadership team, will leave the firm to pursue a different opportunity after completing the necessary notice period. The announcement comes as Morgan Stanley, currently valued at $191.93 billion, trades at $119 per share.

The announcement, made on March 26, comes as a notable change in Morgan Stanley’s executive suite. The financial institution, headquartered at 1585 Broadway, New York, has not yet named a successor for Akram’s role, which is pivotal in overseeing the company’s financial reporting and accounting operations. According to InvestingPro, Morgan Stanley has maintained strong financial health with a FAIR overall rating, and analysis reveals 8 additional key insights available to subscribers.

Akram’s resignation was formally communicated to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through an 8-K filing, a standard procedure for publicly traded companies when significant changes in leadership or governance occur. The filing, dated today, March 28, 2025, ensures transparency with shareholders and the market at large.

Morgan Stanley, a leading global financial services firm, provides a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management, and investment management services. With revenue growth of 14.71% and a P/E ratio of 14.82, the company has demonstrated solid performance. The departure of a top financial officer like Akram is of interest to investors who monitor the stability and continuity of the company’s financial leadership.

As per the SEC filing, Akram’s departure is not immediate, suggesting a transition period that could provide Morgan Stanley with the necessary time to find a suitable replacement and ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.

The company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MS, along with various series of its preferred stock and global medium-term notes. Details regarding the exact date of Akram’s departure and any interim arrangements were not disclosed in the filing.

This change in Morgan Stanley’s executive team is based on the information provided in the SEC filing and does not include speculative insights or potential impacts on the company’s operations or market position.

In other recent news, Morgan Stanley Investment Management has provided $125 million in senior debt financing to FreshBooks to refinance existing debt and support the company’s growth. This financial move highlights Morgan Stanley’s commitment to investing in high-growth sectors, such as technology. Additionally, Morgan Stanley is set to eliminate approximately 2,000 positions to manage costs, marking a significant workforce reduction under CEO Ted Pick. The layoffs will not affect the firm’s 15,000 financial advisors. Meanwhile, Erste Group analysts have downgraded Morgan Stanley’s stock from Buy to Hold, citing concerns over revenue and profit growth prospects. This downgrade reflects the challenges facing the investment banking segment amid economic uncertainty and US tariff policies. In another development, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs have been chosen to lead the IPO for Verisure, potentially boosting the European IPO market. Lastly, Morgan Stanley Research predicts a slowdown in investment banking activity in the first half of 2025 due to market volatility and economic uncertainty.

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