beginning banking career in London versus new york (as an associate)

It seems like new york bankers are quick to bash london as a place to start a career in banking for a number of reasons. I personally think most of these reasons are exaggerared and london in fact might be a better place to start ones career (complex deals, growing financial center, etc.). Thoughts?

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but I think really it has a lot more to do with personal interests than anything.

I think you will get really good experience in both London or New York, it just depends on what you are interested in. London will have a Europe focus, New York a US focus, and at both you will also get the chance from time to time to work on other areas.

If you want to work in Europe down the road, then I would argue London is better, and vice-versa about the states and New York. I don't think if you work in New York that you are gonna be screwed because all the London guys are ahead of you. It's a different thing.

In fact, I don't know a single American in London IB who is there because they think it is explicitly the best career move for them, rather they all have other reasons for being there like: their wife or fiancee is from there, they were bored in the US, they just like Europe (me for example), they got offered more money to go there, they went to a European MBA, etc.

long story short, it all depends on your personal and professional goals as to which is better.

 

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