高盛权力角逐众生相

    华尔街实权派之间的争权夺利常常堪比莎翁剧作，也唯有莎翁才能将当前盛传的高盛（Goldman Sachs）顶层的尔虞我诈还原出来。如今从高盛传出来的风声已经具备了典型古罗马戏剧必需的所有要素：一位领袖权倾一时，但一场金融危机令其势力大不如前；此时，一位信任有加的朋友看到了夺权的机会。多德弗兰克法案（Dodd-Frank）后，高盛业务收缩，今年大批合伙人离职，自2006年布兰克费恩出任首席执行官以来，高盛股价已跌去约25%。

    高盛拒绝发表评论，公司发言人维持了几个月以来一成不变的措辞，称在公司宣布换届计划前，一切无可奉告。即便如此，整个世界（好吧，至少整个金融界）都在注视着西街200号的一举一动。随着高盛大戏的最后一幕徐徐拉开大幕，下面这几个角色值得我们关注：

劳埃德•布兰克费恩，高盛董事长兼首席执行官

    当年高盛风光的时候，布兰克费恩的首要考虑是如何保持公司持续增长。他自嘲式的幽默感掩盖了个性的冷酷无情，一些高盛前合伙人称，正是这种冷酷无情帮助他在高盛爬到了更高的位置。从上世纪70年代以来，高盛的首席执行官一职就常常由两个人共同分担，但布兰克费恩一直独坐头把交椅，并声称没有离任计划。

    但最近的报道称，股东们要求布兰克费恩下台的呼声越来越高。毕竟，他是信贷危机爆发前的高盛首席执行官；被美国证券交易委员会（SEC）指为欺诈并受到美国参议院调查的一些行为也发生在他掌舵期间。今春，随着高盛中层经理格雷格•史密斯离职并在《纽约时报》（New York Times）撰文，控诉高盛的主要目标是通过欺骗客户来赚钱，外界对布莱克费恩领导下的高盛企业道德质疑之声再度升温。为保住董事长一职，布兰克费恩与势力强大的股东美国州县市雇员联盟（American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees，简称AFSCME）努力抗争。此外，他不久前刚刚降薪35%。

    两年来关于布兰克费恩可能离职的传言不断，甚至高盛内部的一些人也开始考虑他是否应当走人。批评人士中甚至包括他长期以来的二把手和密友盖瑞•柯恩。

盖瑞•柯恩，高盛总裁兼首席运营官

    柯恩自1990年加入高盛担任交易员以来就一直是布兰克费恩的左膀右臂。多年以来，两人成为了莫逆之交，但《纽约邮报》（New York Post）报道称，现在两人之间的关系已经恶化。一点也不奇怪。虽然布兰克费恩以前总是见人就说，他想继续执掌高盛几年，一位高盛合伙人以及接近高盛董事会的消息人士今年2月告诉《财富》杂志（Fortune）称，柯恩已成功施展伎俩成为了布兰克费恩的接班人，交接工作最早将于今夏进行。《华尔街日报》（The Wall Street Journal）3月份报道称，高盛确实已制定了一个应急计划，如果股东迫使高盛调整最高层人员，柯恩将担任首席执行官，布兰克费恩任董事长。（高盛否认了这个说法。）

    Shakespearean is a trope often used to describe the machinations of Wall Street power players, but only the Bard could do justice to the treacheries reportedly playing out at the top of Goldman Sachs. The story leaking out of the bank has all the ingredients of a classic Roman play -- a powerful leader weakened by the battle of the financial crisis and a trusted friend who sees an opportunity to grab control. The firm itself is shrinking in the wake of Dodd-Frank legislation, a spate of partners left this year, and shares have lost about 25% since Blankfein became the CEO in 2006.

    Goldman declined to comment, and company spokespeople have maintained for months that there's no real story to discuss until the firm announces a succession plan. Even so, all the world (well, the financial world) is watching 200 West Street. Here are the most interesting players to follow as the investment bank's fifth act unfolds.

Lloyd Blankfein, CEO and chairman of the board

    When times were good at Goldman (GS), Blankfein's main concern was how to keep the investment bank growing. His self-deprecating sense of humor helped mask the ruthlessness that former partners say propelled him ever higher in the organization. Since the 1970s, the CEO role has often been shared between two people, but Blankfein has been in the top spot all alone and he has been saying that he has no plans to leave.

    But recent reports say that a growing chorus of shareholders wants Blankfein to step aside. He was, after all, the boss pre-credit crisis; overseeing activities that were later called fraudulent by the SEC and investigated by the Senate. Questions about integrity under his leadership were raised again this spring when mid-level manager Greg Smith quit and wrote aNew York Times editorial that said the bank's main goal was to make money by duping clients. Blankfein fought with a powerful shareholder, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), to keep his job as chairman of the board. And he just took a 35% pay cut.

    After two years of rumors about a possible departure, even some within the firm wonder whether he should go. Those critics may even include his long-time number two and close friend Gary Cohn.

Gary Cohn, president and chief operating officer

    Cohn has been Blankfein's right hand man since he started working as a trader at Goldman in 1990. Over the years, the two became friends and confidantes, but the New York Post reports that the relationship between the two men has deteriorated. This comes as little surprise. While Blankfein was telling anyone who would listen that he wanted to stay atop the bank for another few years, a Goldman partner and a source close to the board told Fortune in February that Cohn had successfully jockeyed to become Blankfein's successor, and that the changeover could happen as early as this summer. The Wall Street Journal reported in March that the firm did indeed have a contingency plan in place that would make Cohn the CEO and Blankfein the chairman, should shareholders force the bank to shake up the C-suite. (A claim that Goldman denied.)