Top Deal-Maker Greif Leaves Sutro & Co.

Los Angeles investment banker Lloyd Greif has parted ways with brokerage Sutro & Co., ending a decade-long tenure as the firm’s top deal-maker.

Greif, controversial because of his aggressive manner, said Tuesday that he resigned “as a result of differences in approach and style.”

Sutro, though based in San Francisco, has maintained its corporate finance office in Los Angeles. Greif, 36, headed that office until last year, when he said he resigned the administrative post to return to deal-making full time.

Sutro, owned by Boston-based insurance giant John Hancock, has for years fought rumors that Hancock would either sharply scale back the firm’s operations or sell it.

Though not a major player in investment banking, Sutro had carved a niche with medium-size companies in California.

Greif said he may start his own investment banking firm or join another firm.