If I was deciding between BofA Emerging Growth and a lower MM firm, which would be better long-term for my career if my goal is staying in banking? I know the BofA team has received some flack lately but never seen it compared to a LMM firm.
| +197 | Americas M&A League Table Q2 Updated | 79 | 1h |
| +142 | New Article: Dramatic Slide as UBS #22 (US) & New Leadership Desperately Needed | 38 | 21h |
| +131 | Restructuring: Anti-climactic Experience | 34 | 1d |
| +101 | IB Net Worth / Savings Check | 47 | 9h |
| +91 | Woman who emptied Knicks trashcan on street then stole it was DEI exec, worked at JPMorgan Chase | 24 | 11h |
| +77 | Stop sleeping on UBS - it’s pretty good | 26 | 16m |
| +51 | 2026 VAULT PRESTIGE RANKINGS | 29 | 1d |
| +39 | AI + Financial Modelling | 12 | 22h |
| +28 | Summer before college | 17 | 11h |
| +27 | Hardest interview experiences? | 16 | 20h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
I pretty much answered this question in another thread comparing BOFA to RBC/UBS, but here it is again b/c it is pretty much applicable here. BOFA is better than both RBC/UBS, and all 3 are significantly better than any LMM firm.
Pasting of the old response:
Can this forum please stop exaggerating how bad BOFA is? I swear this forum has a new bank to hate on every few months, before this it was UBS and even before that it was RBC, which I guess checks out since those are the other two banks mentioned here.
Objectively, BofA offers more deal exposure than UBS or RBC. UBS’s best groups might be competitive groups but not number one anywhere, while BofA is stronger in UBS's strongest sector of LevFin for example where BOFA is a top 2 franchise in volume. RBC’s strongest group, M&A, is outclassed by BofA, and PU&I, isn't particularly relevant given its niche nature and exits being almost solely infra (BOFA has a competitive if not better franchise here anyway).
And since exits are what most people on this forum care about: BofA exits better than both RBC and UBS, period. The strongest UBS groups place in line with BofA’s average groups, but BofA’s top groups exit better. RBC’s exits are even weaker, making it an even worse choice for those prioritizing buy-side recruiting that make up most of this forum.
At the end of the day, BofA is simply a stronger platform in terms of deal flow, group strength, and exits. For a prospect or intern looking to use IB for exits and experience, it’s irrational to choose UBS or RBC over BofA. A more accurate ranking would be: BofA Top Groups > UBS Top Groups = BofA Average Groups > RBC M&A > UBS Average Groups > RBC Average Groups.
Thanks. But your response seems to be talking in general about bofa and their average group quality. Just trying to see how "average" or "below average" EGRC is at BofA. Saw some feedback saying no chances to get live deal exposure or learn so hoping for advice from someone who may directly have experienced EGRC.
ERGC is going to be clearly better than a lower-tier MM firm, any group at BOFA probably is just given prestige/group reputation. Would take any RBC/UBS group over this too. These banks are all just simply better than what you yourself are describing as lower-tier MM by the sheer nature of historical reputation. Picking something even like a TD top group over UBS/RBC average groups let alone BOFA for the long run would be wild let alone a lower-tier MM.
What is your deal with EGRC? The last thread about EGRC vs RBC is literally just you replying to yourself about how bad the group is. Get a life, get some bitches, touch grass, etc.
I agree with this take if you’re talking about the “average” group at each bank. But EGRC is by far the weakest group at BofA. I suppose the brand name plays a factor but the most important factor is to be on a team that actually gets deal reps. Working in IB for 3+ years with no M&A experience is the kiss of death.
BOFA EGRC is inherently MM-focused so exits should reflect that, no deal flow, and seems like a weak analyst experience. However, still think it's hurt to justify a lower-tier MM firm over it, but think it's justifiable at the RBC level of top MM firm for example.
When I say any I was referring to UBS/RBC in comparison to the LMM when I said I would take any RBC/UBS group over this; but would also that the average group at either especially UBS is better to take in the long run than ERGC and the top groups are very clearly above ERGC.
x
The people in this group at the Chicago office are some of the most aggressively mediocre ppl Ive ever met in my life
They let go 10 or so more senior people in this group very recently (across full group, not just Chicago).
Live deal exposure will vary a ton. To be fair a good amount of the group will have no live deal exposure because they either just started and have been unlucky or they are just not capable of doing the job. However there are a few juniors (mostly second year analyst and top associates) who get decent exposure to live transactions as the group will typically only pull from this group for any actual deal staffings.
Will also say this is the case for most coverage groups as well. If you are in any of the bloated ones (C&R, TMT) there are plenty of juniors who spend majority of their time on meeting materials.
Correct, and that’s precisely the problem with BofA’s staffing model. Increasing headcount does not lower everyone’s hours from 80 to 50-60. The most competent people still work 80 because everyone wants them on their staffings, and the rest sit around and do nothing.
EGRC has 200+ people, and like 5 juniors get put on all the deals and the rest of them do pointless discussion materials.
BofA EGRC gets a lot of hate on this website (rightfully so), but I wouldn’t but it below a LMM bank solely because of the BofA brand name.
That being said, EGRC is far and away the weakest group at bofa and there’s a very high chance you won’t work on any meaningful deals while you’re there (not to mention they’re a massive bonus pool drain on everyone else). There have been countless WSO theads explaining why, but long story short if you go there be very aggressive about getting deal experience because the group is massive/disorganized and it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. You could also try to lateral into a traditional coverage/product group at BofA, which would beat any of the options you listed.
Quidem dolor harum aut non expedita. Quidem numquam unde eius. Ipsum placeat labore sint fuga dolorum nam. Ipsa possimus sed ut voluptatibus.
Doloremque quia nihil et necessitatibus facere hic. Aut quod eos quam sit accusantium. Blanditiis beatae vitae tempora animi rem quos accusantium.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...