BIG 4 to regional IB? HELP
Hey, so i've been with Advisory big4 for the past 3 years now and got an offer from a regional (one of the biggest) banks in the middle east, to work in the IB M&A & IPO department which is utlimately what i always wanted. I always targeted Big banks, Citi, Hsbc etc... but i am stongly considering this one and if anyone has experience moving from big 4 to regional, does it still allow me to move for bigger banks or PE later? I have a Msc in finance and CFA level 3 candidate just for background Appreciate any advice guys!
The biggest hurdle when trying to get into IB by lateraling from an adjacent field is that you don't actually have an IB experience (I'm making the assumption that you don't work in Corporate Finance with the Big4 you are at). It will be much easier for you to get into one of the bigger banks or PE from a regional than a Big4, the regional bank will give you actual IB experience. I lateraled in to IB from a valuation firm and during all the interviews I went on the biggest knock against me when being compared to other candidates was that I didn't have any IB experience. You'll be viewed as an experienced hire so just about everyone you will be interviewing against will have IB experience.