What's this sort of transaction called in banking?

This might be a stupid question, but consider the following scenario:

My bank is working on behalf of commercial bank A who is interested in investing in industry A. We do the due diligence and compile a list of companies in industry A, and serve as a mediary for the transaction to occur. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is buy-side for commercial bank A, right? What is it for the investment bank? What exactly are we doing here?

11 Comments
 

You're working on a buy-side deal for a buy-side client... You're developing the contact/prospect target list. It's technically buy-side "advisory". Has an engagement letter been signed?

 

Yes the letter has been signed, we're working on behalf of the commercial bank, as our client. And yeah we're coming up with a list of places to target. I was confused because I thought it was only considered by side work if we're the ones investing in the company? So this is just called buy side advisory?

 

Well shit that doesn't look fun. Is it odd that we're approaching banks to find a target company for our client? They don't want to acquire a bank obviously, but we're approaching banks that have clients in that industry to see if any of their over-leveraged clients are seeking an equity investment of up to X million. Is that normal?

 

Not understanding your question. Your previous posts imply that the commercial bank IS your client... are you saying now that you have a firm as a client and are going through other banks to find targets?

EDIT: Reread your question more carefully, my bad. Yes, it's normal. A commercial bank is still a buy-side firm, just like a PE shop. You're the investment bank, the intermediary. You link up buyers (commercial bank) and sellers (other firms, or in your case, from what I'm able to understand, other commercial/merchant banks who have holdings?) to get a deal done. Nothing exciting to see, move right along.

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

The commercial bank is our client who is looking for targets in a certain industry. We're contacting investment banks who have clients in that industry to see if they are representing any companies in that industry who are looking to raise equity

 

Ok so you're probably dishing out some form of sourcing fee to the IBs who can send some sell-side deals your way while you guys take on the primary diligence? When you say "investing" I'm assuming it is majority ownership in some form of cash/stock deal? An equity raise implies selling shares through retail/institutional, so no majority holders/acquisition. If this is all correct, not sure on the exact name for this other than a sourced buy side deal..

 

Quia exercitationem vel illo quasi nihil sint numquam. A ut consectetur repellendus.

Atque aliquam vel quia sit rem consequatur eos. Repellat est atque inventore ut. Nesciunt enim est voluptatem placeat quaerat. Assumenda molestiae maiores commodi voluptatem. Sunt aliquam ratione voluptates qui.

Totam qui rem asperiores aut quasi corrupti fugit laborum. Voluptate ex quidem quibusdam dolores. Ea quos qui non praesentium nihil. Repellendus architecto inventore ea quis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”