Omeed Malik is the founder and CEO of Farvahar Partners, a boutique merchant bank that invests partner capital in early-stage businesses and alternative-investment funds. Malik was a Managing Director and Head of Global Capital Strategy and Head of Americas Prime Brokerage Origination at Bank of America Merrill Lynch before leaving the firm to launch Farvahar Partners in January 2018. Later reports indicated that Malik was forced out after investigations into allegations of inappropriate conduct, which Malik disputed. In April 2018 Malik filed an arbitration claim against Bank of America, through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), alleging defamation, breach of contract, retaliation, and discrimination, seeking USD 100 million in damages.^[2][3][4][5] Bank of America paid an eight-figure sum to Malik to settle the case.^[7]

Malik was born in New Jersey to an Iranian mother and a Pakistani father. Malik graduated from Colgate University in 2001 Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, in Philosophy and Political Science, and then earned a Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from the Emory University School of Law in 2006.^[2][5][6]

Following his graduation from law school, Malik worked as an associate attorney at the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. Malik transitioned to finance when he joined the staff of MF Global and served as a senior advisor to MF Global CEO and former New Jersey Governor, US Senator, and Goldman Sachs Senior Partner Jon Corzine. After MF Global filed for Chapter 11 Bankrupcy, Malik was hired by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he worked his way up to Head of Global Capital Strategy and Head of Americas Prime Brokerage Origination. Malik was known as a charismatic and well-connected executive and even landed a cameo appearance in the Showtime series Billions. Malik is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.^{[2][3][4][5][13]}

In January 2018, Malik departed Bank of America to launch his own competing firm.

Soon thereafter The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal ran stories stating that Malik had been dismissed following allegations of misconduct.^[3][5][7]

For his part, Malik claims he is the victim of internal politics at Bank of America's prime brokerage division, having been singled out for retaliation after he complained internally that his own boss, a London-based executive named Martina Slowey, lacked the necessary FINRA licenses to either conduct business or supervise employees in the United States. Malik also believes he has been discriminated against on the basis of his non-white Muslim heritage, complaining that white men with specific charges against them have been allowed to remain in their positions.^[4][5] Bank of America agreed to settle the case and pay Malik an eight-figure sum after months of legal action and attempts to justify his firing.^[7] Joe Voboril also sued the firm for $20 million dollars and received a 7 figure settlement.^[14]