“It’s the first time in four years that professionals at Providence have had a chance to take a vacation.” — Jonathan Nelson, CEO of Providence Equity Partners, on what the credit crunch has meant to his firm.
    
“It’s kind of like revenge of the nerds.” — Quint Barker, managing principal, New York Life Investment Management, on the return of middle market deals.
 
“I believe the last 5 years were the 5 greatest years we could possibly imagine. It was too good to be true.” — Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein on the golden era of private equity.
 
“I do believe the worst is over.” – Colm Kelleher, Morgan Stanley’s CFO on the credit markets turmoil.

“I think it is totally unacceptable that a representative of the U.S. administration criticizes an independent court of law outside its jurisdiction. The European Commission does not pass judgment on rulings by a U.S. court and we expect the same level of respect.” — EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes on criticism from the United States of a European court ruling this week that Microsoft broke antitrust laws.
    
“The deafening silence is dispiriting for shareholders.” — David Buik at Cantor Index on the lack of news about any buyers for reeling U.K. home mortgage lender Northern Rock. 

Compiled by Martin Howell