Sandler O'Neill & Partners, a full-service investment banking firm which occupied the 104th Floor of Two World Trade Centre, has confirmed that 67 of its employees and two outside consultants remain unaccounted for.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of so many of our dear friends and colleagues," said Jimmy Dunne, managing principal, who has managed the firm's operations since its founding in 1988. "Since Tuesday morning, we have been doing everything possible to locate those who are missing and share all new information with their families. We will continue to reach out to area hospitals, rescue organizations and authorities around the clock."
The firm is currently operating out of two other Manhattan offices and has initiated several actions related to the tragedy, including providing counseling services for employees and family members. Because the firm's Website was damaged as a result of the destruction of the World Trade Center, current information about the firm's employees is being posted at http://www.ymerge.com.
"We are gratified by the tremendous outpouring of support from clients and friends around the country," Mr. Dunne said. "In order to honor our missing colleagues, we are determined to emerge stronger than ever. Despite this devastating tragedy, I want all of our clients to know that we are committed to serving them. We expect our trading systems to be fully operational when the stock exchanges re-open."