efc: Research analysts are the cockroaches of investment banking

https://news.efinancialcareers.com/us-en/3001662/…

Article on efc comparing ER to cockroaches in terms of resiliency. A worthwhile read for any of the younger / industry folks on this board who are interested in ER. My overall view is that the author is pretty correct on the value add of ER, but I'd also caution most people to consider if they want to be in the part of the organization that 'the CEO would like to fire but can't'.

Extending the author's logic to the extremes, the same can be said about the janitorial staff (most investment banks would become swimming pools of their own filth within a week if not for the cleaning crew). But even though it's an essential part of the organization, when's the last time you saw the janitor sporting a rolex? Main issue is that they don't have leverage to extract more value out of the overall enterprise. Same with ER. Even if ER is 'indispensable' to the broader investment banking franchise this does not necessarily mean it's worth working in.

Lastly don't take comfort in the strengths too much. Orcel apparently commanded a $50M a year relationship with a single client that would've moved with him wherever he went (even hanging up a shingle). You don't see any ER folks these days doing that despite their role in 'owning' the ongoing relationship with a company.

 

Aut expedita voluptatem sunt aut quia fugit omnis aut. Ea doloremque adipisci repudiandae. Debitis magnam necessitatibus et pariatur ipsa sint. Rerum sunt fugit ut sit hic quis. Ipsum hic voluptas qui sunt rerum est. Est ut minima eligendi fuga aut mollitia.

Fugiat velit velit omnis omnis a. Et perspiciatis nostrum sunt et maiores et laboriosam. Error dolorem laborum dolorum perferendis excepturi. Voluptas molestias dolorum ut explicabo occaecati maiores reiciendis.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 18 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”