Morgan Stanley snags national sales director Jeffrey Tucker from Merrill Lynch

Morgan Stanley has recruited Jeffrey Tucker from cross-town rival Merrill Lynch as its new national sales manager. Mr. Tucker is a financial services industry veteran who most recently held a regional director role of metro New York at Merrill. Prior to that, he led Merrill's flagship complex on Fifth Avenue for more than five years. His experience dates back 20 years since beginning his career as a financial adviser. He will start working at Morgan Stanley during the third quarter, according to a company spokeswoman, where he will report to Jim McCarthy, head of national sales. Six regional sales managers will report to Mr. Tucker.