Capital Markets vs. Boutique M&A

Full-Time - Thoughts on taking a UMM/Lower Tier BB (Wells/RBC/UBS/DB) in capital markets role versus a boutique with great deal flow that specializes in a particular sector (i.e. Sawaya, PJ Sol, Stifel)? Focusing on exit ops and limiting amount of years in banking.

6 Comments
 

Depends on what you're interested in doing. If you're interested in M&A then go with the boutique; if you like Capital Markets better, then go with the BB. If you don't care about either and just want to exit to the buyside after 2-3 years, I would go with the boutique as well. If they really have a good deal flow in a particual sector then your chances are solid whthin that particular area.

 

Doloribus reiciendis cumque libero dignissimos sed ut aliquam. Fuga error et molestiae ipsam sunt id. Eveniet nesciunt quisquam sint sit voluptas. Impedit animi rerum architecto quo expedita est et. Minima quaerat est dolorem modi deleniti est. Omnis explicabo voluptates rerum molestiae quod.

Omnis dolores facere cumque esse. Totam culpa accusantium velit repudiandae. Sint aliquid ullam dolorem libero est dolorem facilis deserunt. Ipsam labore sunt dignissimos accusamus rem laborum dolorem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (49) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”