Best Corporate Banking Team at Citi?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, Citi's Corporate Banking (CB) teams are generally smaller than their Investment Banking (IB) counterparts, which can lead to better senior exposure and less internal competition. However, specific team performance and culture can vary.

Some insights from WSO threads include:

1. Work-Life Balance: CB at Citi is often praised for offering a better work-life balance compared to IB. Many seniors in CB have transitioned from other groups within the bank, seeking a healthier lifestyle, which can create a more reasonable and supportive work environment.

2. Compensation: Top-performing CB analysts at Citi have reported receiving bonuses that are competitive with, or even better than, mid-to-lower-tier IB bonuses. This is especially true for those in the top bucket.

3. Skill Development: While CB provides exposure to a broad range of corporate finance initiatives, the technical rigor and modeling experience are often less intensive than in IB. This can be a drawback if you're aiming for a transition to private equity or other buy-side roles in the future.

4. Team Dynamics: Smaller teams in CB can mean fewer "assholes" and a more collaborative environment. However, the work can sometimes be less exciting, with a focus on credit memos and internal paperwork rather than live deal execution.

If you're interviewing, it might be worth asking about the specific team's deal flow, senior leadership, and opportunities for skill development to gauge whether it aligns with your career goals.

Sources: Unpacking Corporate Banking at Citi/BAML?, Is Corporate Banking that much worse than IB?, 7 Things I Hate About Citi, 7 Things I Hate About Citi, Citi vs CS vs Barclays for IB