Boutique/MM IB to UMM/MF PE - Is it possible???

Hey monkeys,

As someone who accepted an SA offer for a firm that has steady deal flow in the ~$300M-$2B range, how difficult would it be to get into UMM or MF PE? Any advice for doing this, or would recruiting FT/lateraling be the best bet for this? I know this is far out, but let's be honest, we're all finance hardos here and want to plan the rest of our lives out already. 

Any and all advice is much appreciated. 

14 Comments
 

Unless your bank is one of the top MM's discussed on this forum, or a very strong industry specific boutique (and your goal is to go to a sector specific umm pe shop), your chances are pretty much 0. Why because 99% of the time the best candidates are at BB's, EB's and the top mm/industry specific boutique. You realistically won't be the exception to that rule so MF and UMM wont look at you. I don't have any specific advice for lateraling but have good deal experience, be able to speak to your deals well, and just be prepared in general for when the opportunity arises.

 

How would you say I should go about making the right connections here? I have a decent brand name for both school and IB shop. 

Array
 

It is possible to make a MF, but just not common at all. I would think of it like a person of non-Italian descent becoming a made guy in the mafia. Sure it happens, but 99% of the time it is not the case.

Dayman?
 

Deserunt odit perspiciatis iste voluptatum. Sunt enim dolore blanditiis eveniet rerum nobis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (45) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”