[ by Melanie Gretchen and Howard Haykin ] Goldman Sachs is becoming more exclusive, as difficult markets and new regulations drive the number of the Wall Street firm's staff – and thus its inner circle – down.  Following last year's head-count cut throughout the firm, that reduced employee numbers to 32,400 employees - cut of >8% - the firm is expected to name fewer than 100 new partners this fall, according to people briefed on the matter but not authorized to speak on the record – one of the smallest classes in recent years.

[C-I Note: We refer you to a related story - posted 6/6/12 in Behind the News - "Deleveraging (Encounters) of the Third Kind - on Wall Street", which 'leverages' off of a column by CNBC's John Carney about Wall Street firms thinning out the ranks of their higher level personnel - i.e., those who get paid well in good times and bad, and thus serve as a constant drag on a firm's profitability which, by necessity, leaves less money for distribution to partners and 'next in command' personnel.]

Top Class. The New York brokerage spends months vetting potential partners every 2 years, after which the winners are rewarded abundantly and have an inside track to top jobs at the firm.  In 2010, 110 new partners were named. This year, with cuts in the air, the partnership may be as few or fewer than those in the class of 2008, when the number of new partners during the height of the financial crisis was 94.   [C-I Note: see the Who's News story, "Goldman Makes High-Level Cuts"] New partner selection process starts this summer with current partners both nominating and vetting candidates.  Decisions on the size of the class and those selected will be finalized this fall, toward an announcement most likely in November. For further details, go to [Dealbook, 6/6/12].