"This is Lloyd on Sunday in New York." So began a mass voice mail from Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) CEO Lloyd Blankfein (Lloyd Blankfein news) to his troops. "Following my message to you on Friday, I wanted to update all of you and let you know that we have been taking all appropriate steps to defend the firm and its reputation." He also sent along a summary to be shared with clients. You may be getting a copy soon.

No doubt the gilded firm is in a full-court press on this issue. It knows well that a whole lot is on the line here. "We have faced challenges before and our people have always responded through their skills, talent and focus on our clients. We will do that now, and in the process, re-affirm everything that defines Goldman Sachs." Similar messages were passed about at Bear Stearns (Bear Stearns news) and Lehman Brothers (Lehman Brothers news) toward the end. Goldman Sachs of course is in no danger, but you certainly get an idea of the magnitude of the charges internally. The wagons are being circled, that's for sure. Stay tuned. 

For more:
- here's the message

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