BBs vs MM vs Botiques in terms of exit opps in London

Hi guys,

In terms of exit opps in London, how much of a difference does it make if you're in a MM vs BB vs Botique?

For example, MS or Nomura or Moelis? I mean it feels obvious that MS is the best option here but what about Nomura/BNP vs Moelis or other botiques such as Greenhill and Lazard?

And except from the traditional exits, what if you actually want to do consulting, how would you rank summer internships at these banks just for the experience for applying to full-time for the bigger consulting firms such as M/B/B?

I know there are a lot of post covering these issues and I have read lots of them but most are about opps in USA and I feel that botiques might not be as strong in eu.

So to actually sum it up, would you choose Nomura/BNP/SG or elite botiques such as Moelis/Greenhill/Lazard looking forward to have great exit opps both for PE firms but also in terms of preparing your resume for applying for consulting instead?

Cheers

7 Comments
 
Best Response

Myself, I would pick:

1) BB (MS/JPM/BAML/ etc) 2) Boutique (Lazard/Rothschild/Greenhill/ etc) 3) MM (BNPP/SCG/Nomura/ etc)

However, it doesn't mean that everybody agrees of course. We all have our paths and you're story is unique. You could end up at better PE firm coming from MM than someone from BB, because everything is possible. However, given your certain profile I believe that larger and better known banks will offer you better training, better deal flow, more experience and so on.

Good luck.

The surest way to make a monkey of a man is to quote him.
 

Yeah I agree, just was unsure if it was the same case in London vs USA.

I would argue though that consulting firms are a bit more looking on reputation and name and I don't know if they are more positive towards names such as Lazard/Moelis/Greenhill vs BNP/Nomura. It feels that only bankers know the difference and favor botiques.

 

Btw, I am based in London just to add flavour to my post.

In any case, you never know how people will look at certain cases because it all depends on individuals. I have been involved in several recruitment decision in regards to e.g. students going for internship at IBs. In one case, HR friend of mine at a top BB said literally "we do not recruit from school x", a school that is considered as one of the best schools in Europe and a is usually target for all top employers. But generalising, I would assume that elite boutiques still sound better than e.g. SocGen or Credite Agricole. I am also pretty sure that recruitment folks at top consulting firms are well aware of all of these three categories, as much as I am aware of who McKinsey, BCG and Bain are without any experience from working in that sector.

The surest way to make a monkey of a man is to quote him.
 

Thanks mate! I agree on everything you say, it's just that I needed some confirmation so I would feel stronger in my future decisions.

 

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