Best, Worst, Details about Barclays Groups

The last thread on this got deleted because you dolts doxxed some kid. Please don't do that again.

Does anyone know the nitty gritty details about Barclays IBD groups, both coverage and capital markets, in terms of culture, WL balance, exit opps, dealflow, up & coming versus declining groups, etc.?

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the most recent post was a few days ago, but it was taken down due to monkeys doxxing a user. otherwise there's not a ton on this topic that's up to date

 
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Summary:

-All coverage groups are decent to very good, Barclays is the most well rounded out of CS/Citi/BofA/Barclays but doesn't have any one notorious group with lights out PE exits except maybe sponsors, speak to someone in the groups if you want to get a sense for culture - not that hard to reach out

-Tech/Industrials are considered strong but pretty ruthless in terms of analyst workload and are the exception to people saying that Barclays generally has the best culture/WLB out of all the BB

-DCM, LevFin are good but no product groups have consistent exits to PE, especially because M&A is inhoused within coverage

 

One of, if not the best of the BBs. Skip McGee, couple of others leaving was a blow but group remained very competitive.

 

Very hard to get into the group unless you go to Yale, I would not recruit for Barclays NYC thinking you can get in to sponsors. If you really want in, recruit directly for the LA office which is just as strong.

 

A lot of people talk about how Power is on top of the league tables, but it should also be noted that their WL balance is also surprisingly good. Unfortunately, its one of the most competitive groups to get into so pursue at your own risk. Otherwise, all of the coverage groups are fairly decent and I haven't heard too much about any "declining" groups. Tech and Industrials can be pretty hardcore in terms of hours but people generally exit well and see a healthy amount of deal flow. In terms of capital markets I've heard the firm does pretty well on the debt side of things (not to say equity doesn't just haven't talked with them).

 

Natres may have declined from its peak a few years back but still top 1/2 out of the BBs. Tech is doing very well recently but yes, culture/workload is something to be wary of.

 

GS NRG is known for poor culture/hours; you're also confined to certain exits despite exit ops being the reason most analysts accept the lower pay at GS. I would take Barclays natres over GS if I had to choose between the two. However, if you get a generalist offer just go to GS and network into another classic group.

 

Bump - which groups get the best dealflow / are the most sought after in London? Still PUI and UK? I've heard that the UK time works on lots of deals, but rarely touches the models (left to the coverage groups)

 

One to Water Street as well. Barcap HC is very strong especially in services, but I would say that year was a bit of an anomaly, all of those analysts were just extremely strong and would have done the same from most coverage groups. Generally, I would say sponsors/power/natres are strong enough and structured to propel/carry analysts in PE recruiting, but every other coverage barring RE and somewhat FIG gives you a solid shot at UMM+ if you fit the profile in other areas.

 

Would put CRG up there too, slightly ahead of HC for most sought after. Tech/Ind would come after because they're interesting and strong but brutal. It would be CMG/FIG next, which seem to be the most underrated IMO, best lifestyles in coverage. LevFin/RE comes after.

 

Here's the scoop on industrials: in short—yes, it's a hardworking group.

The story behind the sweaty reputation: a few years ago (in 2017, I think), there were some senior people (including the group head) that were really intense and drove a culture of misery. And so, many of the analysts left about a year in and the class below them ended up getting rek'd because of this (i.e., they were understaffed by about half for the better part of a year). BUT, some of those folks have since left and things are improving with both the senior management and being properly staffed, but it's still just really busy.

The group places very well for PE (megafunds are common). But, you just need to know going in you're going to bust your ass for 2 years to make it worth it. It's entirely up to you in what you prioritize (w/l balance, PE placement, culture, etc.). 

 

Not true, bunch of the coverage teams are filled with internationals from varying backgrounds

 

I think impossible is an exaggeration - but it definitely helps! from what i've heard they don't do so much of the modelling, more about UK takeover regulations etc. I might be misinformed, though

 

If this is true, would the UK team or their strongest sector coverage generally give better exit ops?

 

Healthcare has terrible hours, FIG has great hours, CMG is pretty good, ESG is up there, LevFin pretty good, NatRes can be rough from time to time

 

Bump, people keep repeating that Barclays tech has decent dealflow but terrible WL balance, is this what you're referring to? 

 

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