Just curious as to what people are saying about BofA Palo Alto nowadays. I know M&A and coverage are split and I’m hearing M&A is better to be on but wanted to know how the group is doing as all the posts are over 2 years old.
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, BofA Palo Alto's Tech M&A group has been performing well in recent years. The group is divided between coverage and M&A, and the consensus is that the M&A side offers stronger exit opportunities, particularly for those targeting private equity roles. Analysts from this group have exited to notable firms like Golden Gate, Pegasus VC, Thoma Bravo, and various tech growth equity funds.
While the group may not have the same prestige as GS, MS, or tech-focused elite boutiques (EBs), it still provides solid deal experience and respectable exits, especially on the West Coast. If you're aiming for strong PE exits, being in the M&A group is generally recommended over coverage.
Sources: BofA TMT - Underdogs?, Best Coverage Groups at Barclays & Group Networking, Information on BofA FIG, BAML is better than every EB, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/thoughts-on-tidal-partners?customgpt=1
They hire from Berkeley, so intel on them is pretty fresh through the uni channels.
Hours and culture terrible, enough juniors have quit that the group has low single digits of juniors, like 3 TOTAL counting all years. The summers also renege or don't get offers so only 1 new analyst and 1 associate per year.
They hired an MD from UBS, to replace one that went to WF. Believe they also have an ex-WF that came last year?
Avoid like the plague, can’t think of more retarded people than that team
ditto. I haven't heard a single positive thing about them
Heard their coverage team got hella baddies
maybe if you like indians
Are the baddies the ones making this comment
It has deadass got to be the worst culture group ever.
It’s also compounded by the fact you have paradise on the coverage team side.
I hope the seniors see this and change things - the culture, hours, people, work are just not it.
Is dealflow bad?
Is coverage paradise relative to M&A? This place always reps it a tier below Q/GS/MS and loads of senior departures.
how different are the exits between the m&a and coverage side
coverage had better exits last year
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