Bending Spoons M&A Internship vs Credit Analyst Internship

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's how you might evaluate your options:

1. Bending Spoons M&A Internship:

   • Pros: The M&A internship offers full exposure to the deal process, from initial search to closing and integration. This hands-on experience is highly relevant for investment banking or equity research roles, as it demonstrates your ability to handle complex transactions and work across various stages of a deal. Additionally, the better pay and positive culture could enhance your overall experience and motivation.
   • Cons: Bending Spoons is primarily known for its software engineering focus, which might not carry the same weight in London finance recruiting circles as a more traditional finance name.

2. Credit Analyst Internship at Altana Wealth:

   • Pros: The credit analyst role involves due diligence and bottom-up analysis, which are directly applicable to roles in asset management, equity research, or even credit-focused investment banking. While Altana Wealth is a smaller fund, the experience could still be valuable if you can articulate your contributions effectively during interviews.
   • Cons: Altana Wealth appears to be less well-known, and the shorter duration (8 weeks) might limit the depth of your experience compared to the 4-month M&A internship.

3. Recruiting Perception in London:

   • For London recruiting, brand recognition and the relevance of your experience to the desired role are key. While Bending Spoons might not be a traditional finance name, the M&A experience could still be compelling if you can highlight the transferable skills and deal exposure. On the other hand, Altana Wealth's direct finance focus might resonate more with recruiters, but its smaller size and lesser-known reputation could be a drawback.

4. Recommendation:

   • If your ultimate goal is to secure a graduate role in investment banking or equity research, the M&A internship at Bending Spoons might be the stronger choice due to its comprehensive deal exposure and longer duration. However, you should be prepared to clearly articulate how the experience translates to the finance roles you're targeting.
   • If you believe the direct finance focus of the credit analyst role at Altana Wealth aligns better with your goals, and you can leverage the experience effectively in interviews, it could also be a viable option. Networking and demonstrating your understanding of the industry will be crucial in this case.

Ultimately, the decision depends on which experience you feel will better position you for your target roles and how well you can sell that experience to recruiters.

Sources: Credit Analyst Q&A, Bain or BCG for Summer Internship??, Stanford vs Wharton vs Booth vs Columbia for PE, Not sure if Investment Banking is for me anymore, Makena Capital