The 1980s gave birth to an M&A boom as well as a host of deal-making stars. None was bigger than Bruce Wasserstein. He and colleague Joseph Perella built First Boston ’s M&A business and brought in vast profits for the investment bank. Then abruptly in 1988, the two bankers resigned from the firm. Below is the Wall Street Journal’s article on the pair’s exit from February 3,1988.

Street Scene: Top merger men quit at First Boston, signalling end of an era