BAML LevFin/Financial Sponsors

Can anybody detail how these groups are set up? I know that BAML's LevFin is tops on the street, but what is their relationship with Financial Sponsors...does sponsors do all the modeling for LBO's or do they just originate and then pass modeling along to LevFin? Which group is the best to go into for PE as well? Thanks and feel free to PM with any information.

26 Comments
 

Nobody wants to admit they are not doing any modelling...

Haha don't be shy tell us the truth that you are in an useless team!

 
Best Response

BAML FSG and LevFin are definitely one of the best on the street. BUT, they are probably one of the most cut-throat groups out there for any summer analyst. For example, for BAML FSG placement day, they will give you a written test about LBO and stuff. In addition, I was at BAML LevFin last summer and they had 65% full time conversion for summer analysts and less than 40% conversion for summer associates. Go figure.

Because they are so cut-throat, their culture is subpar compared to BAML M&A, for example. However, being cut-throat does mean good PE placement. So it's really what you prefer better — culture or placement?

 

Thanks for the honest opinion-- wow I didn't know it was that competitive. So for FSG, you need to have a strong background in LBO and what not? I was hoping that FSG and Lev Fin might work out since I have a network there-- how does placement of M&A at BAML compared to FSG and Lev Fin? How many people are there in a class? Can I PM you?

 

I kind of want to bring back this post. I am an incoming summer analyst and was offered both the FSG and Lev Fin groups. Is there any real distinction between the two exit op wise? I had to re-rank groups the other day and put Lev Fin as #1 with FSG as #2. Did I go wrong in this ranking/should I put FSG as my first choice? I know the group is a lot smaller but I don't really know much about the difference between the two going to megafunds/PE shops.

 

Agree with this, would take Sponsors over lev fin in a heart beat if top PE exits are what you're after.

"You rarely have time for everything you want in this life, so you need to make choices. And hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are." - Mister Rogers
 

Yes- BAML and JPM are the best LevFin on the street. Going with LevFin would be my bet, but you need to see/talk with people and see how each group is different. Some banks have FS advise and LevFin is more debt capital markets, while some have LevFin doing a lot of the work. I have a friend who is interning with BAML LevFin and plans on going to PE in two years, PM if you have any specific questions, and I'll see if I can get some more insight.

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 

Any particular reason macro?

I need to choose between Baml Lev fin and Baml investment grade debt for my SA. I do not care about future exit opps, maybe FT conversion rate but thats it.

 

Officia illum ad aut. Totam rerum architecto ratione perspiciatis impedit qui. Reiciendis dolores aut et occaecati. Consequuntur aliquid beatae quam soluta mollitia accusantium exercitationem sunt.

 

Voluptatem sit vel voluptatem dolorum voluptas modi assumenda corporis. Ipsum repellat eaque tempora ex fugiat. Aut aspernatur nulla qui minus.

Accusantium natus ipsam occaecati est culpa. Animi dignissimos dolor voluptatum illo. Sequi omnis qui eos qui alias quia. Modi consequatur fugit ut dolor accusamus. Illum quis praesentium illo accusamus. Officiis rem sit perspiciatis optio consequatur et doloremque ut. Autem voluptas suscipit cum hic corporis sed.

Facere rerum sunt numquam voluptas aut. Atque accusantium dignissimos est ut. At commodi doloremque magni nihil et cupiditate ad corporis. Et aut odio dicta ex ut. Earum sint natus cum officiis omnis. Enim porro eaque autem veritatis sint. Sunt aliquid debitis necessitatibus quasi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
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...”