Meredith Whitney, the ball-busting Oppenheimer analyst who has been hailed for her Cassandra-like prediction of the demise of Citigroup, is leaving the firm after fifteen years to start up her own shop. The company's press release is actually almost tearful.

Apart from being a consummate professional colleague, Meredith has been a great personal friend to many at the firm. We will miss her wisdom and wit. She has been a major contributor in building the Oppenheimer franchise and we thank her sincerely for her passion and dedication to the business. It is our hope to continue both a personal and professional partnership in her new capacity and extend a relationship that began over 15 years ago. Please join us in wishing Meredith the very best in her new venture.

Aw. It's heartwarming, but also inevitable, like when Gwen Stefani left No Doubt to pursue a solo career: You always kind of knew a girl that hot was not going to stay with that band of dorks for long.

Oppenheimer Says Good-Bye [DealBreaker]