Banks near deal to buy messaging start-up Perzo

• A purchase pf Perzo could lead to the creation of an instant-messaging service to rival that of Bloomberg, and Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) is leading a group of 14 Wall Street firms nearing a deal.
• Bloomberg terminals are a staple at banks and money management operations - helping employees keep up with the markets and allowing them to communicate electronically - but gripes about the $20K per year price tag and Bloomberg's refusal to sell services a la carte are growing.
• By backing a viable alternative to Bloomberg's highly popular messaging service, bank chiefs believe they'll get a lever with which to negotiate better pricing on terminals.