Equity Research - Prestige vs sector?

Currently interning at a french bank in equity research in a sector I enjoy. A position has come up to become permanent there but in the past few weeks I have been interviewing elsewhere as I was looking for security.  I've wound up in a position with 2 FT offers, one from the French bank I've spent a couple months at as an intern and an EB.

French Bank

Pros:

  • Interesting sector
  • The team are cool
  • Good work life balance

Cons:

  • The bank isn't ranked well in ER
  • I'm not french and don't speak the language (hasn't been a problem so far but we do have many french clients where it would be nicer if I spoke their preferred language)
  • Long term comp is likely to be worse than the EB
  • Exit opps potentially worse given the reputation in ER isn't strong

EB 

Pros:

  • Stronger reputation in ER, generally more prestigious bank
  • LT comp is likely better
  • Exit opps likely better due to reputation

Cons:

  • Sector isn't as interesting as the one at French bank
  • From the reputation I presume my work life balance would be worse
  • Risking leaving a chill team for another which may not be (they seem fine but you never know)

To me the biggest swing factors are reputation/prestige and sector as I'm not that motivated by money, and exit opps I'm not sure about (I don't know if I want to end up on the buyside etc). If AM's are being squeezed they will cut research budget and at that point it doesn't matter how good you are... reputation gets prioritised and maybe the French bank gets cut - could eventually put my job in jeopardy. On the other hand, if you're covering a sector in depth, it helps to be covering a sector you find interesting..


What would you choose and why? Are there other factors I should be considering? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Et nihil minima est necessitatibus inventore. Sit consectetur quis unde consequuntur.

Aut maiores est doloribus reiciendis aut est. Qui nobis sed praesentium aut ut. Occaecati quo ipsam aut ut suscipit porro. Consequuntur eum autem sunt vel.

Sint est rerum et excepturi. Necessitatibus iste odit ut. Aut pariatur beatae blanditiis in libero. Velit et consequatur aut laudantium illum maiores dignissimos. Aspernatur numquam ipsam consequatur voluptates nesciunt eveniet necessitatibus. Maxime tempora nisi ea dolores dolorem autem adipisci. Nesciunt quisquam iste ab esse voluptate ut sequi.

Vel et omnis earum expedita. Sit placeat reiciendis nam est commodi. Maiores sint sit nostrum distinctio eum dolore. Similique autem distinctio nemo rerum qui facere perspiciatis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 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

April 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

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”