Two brothers of Moroccan origin are worth 250 billion euros

In 2013, Michael and Yoël Zaoui left the heights of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs to found Zaoui & Co, writes Le Point. This move from the "cathedrals" of global finance to an agile structure in the Mayfair district marked the birth of one of the most influential independent firms in Europe. Starting from nothing - or almost, with a simple Audi serving as their initial office - the two brothers have proven that their personal expertise is worth as much as the machinery of the banking giants.

A dizzying record of 250 billion euros

Their "kiosk", which has only about ten employees, has a balance sheet that would make the big institutions pale: 250 billion euros of transactions completed in just over a decade. Their names are associated with the biggest shocks of European capitalism, from the Lafarge-Holcim merger to the L’Oréal-Nestlé agreement. More recently, they have distinguished themselves on complex cases such as the sale of Grand Frais or the advisory role for the Mohammed VI Fund for Investment in Morocco.

Originally from Fez, the Zaoui brothers followed parallel paths, from Paris to Harvard and Stanford. Their strength lies in a millimeter-precise complementarity:

• Michael (the elder): An instinctive negotiator and strategist, he bets on psychology and relationships.

• Yoël (the younger): An analytical mind, he focuses on technical locking and methodical execution of files.

While many independent investment banks end up being absorbed by larger groups, the Zaoui duo maintains its autonomy. Despite the scale of their careers, retirement does not seem to be on the agenda. Yoël plans to remain "at the coal face" for at least another decade, turning this ultra-competitive profession into a true family hobby that continues to defy the laws of traditional finance.