Career advice in IB

I’m an international student studying at a local uni in Singapore (currently on a student pass), graduating in the 2nd half of 2026. Right now, I’m doing a valuation internship at a mid-tier accounting firm, and I’m planning to take another summer/off-cycle internship after this one.

I’m trying to figure out whether I should aim for:

• Local boutique IBs (better relevance for breaking into IB, but low pay — which is a concern since I need to cover my own rental/living expenses + support family), or
• Big 4 CF / regional banks (DBS, Maybank IB divisions, etc.) — probably better pay and brand stability, but maybe slightly less “direct IB” experience compared to boutiques.

Ultimately, my long-term goal is to break into IB, so I want to maximise my chances. At the same time, financial considerations are quite important for me.

Would appreciate any advice from people who’ve been through this trade-off or know how recruiters view these options. Thanks in advance!