Chicago banking scene
Currently at a BB in NYC (GS/MS/JPM) and with a baby on the way, we are seriously considering relocating back to Chicago (I went to school there).
I’m trying to understand what the long-term career path looks like in Chicago investment banking offices, specifically whether people actually build careers through MD there, or if the offices tend to be lean enough that most people view it as more of a short-to-mid-term stop (e.g., make it to ED and then move on).
From your perspective, which banks have a large enough Chicago presence and a promotion pipeline deep enough that progressing to MD is realistic and actively pursued? And is “making MD” something that’s commonly discussed and supported in the culture, or is it generally understood to be a tougher or less predictable path because of headcount constraints? It’s tough in nyc too and not saying I will make it here but the offices are very large and there is generally more room to at least stay hopeful (maybe even delusional)
Based on the most helpful WSO content, the Chicago investment banking scene offers a mix of opportunities, but it does come with some unique challenges compared to NYC. Here's what you need to know:
Career Progression to MD in Chicago:
Culture and Support for MD Aspirations:
Banks with Strong Chicago Presence:
Considerations for Relocation:
In summary, while making MD in Chicago is possible, it may require careful planning, strong performance, and a focus on firms with a significant local presence and a supportive culture for long-term career growth. If you're considering a move, targeting firms like Baird, Lincoln, or William Blair could provide the best opportunities for building a career through MD in Chicago.
Sources: bb chicago or mm chicago for IB?, Chicago Scene 2019, Why not Chicago over NYC?, Top Chicago IB, Chicago BB and EB Ranking
J.P. Morgan has half of its industrials team in Chicago, which is its largest group there. This includes the full suite of bankers, all the way from interns to MD. It's not a lean office at all in that group. Plenty of opportunity to make a lifelong career. JPM has a few other groups in Chicago too, but those are definitely satellite offices with just a few people and therefore less opportunity compared to New York.
You may need to look to the smaller banks if you want more MD paths in banking in Chicago. There are many, and they are all firms you have likely heard of before. Evercore, Guggenheim, Baird, etc.
Out of curiosity, why would you join independent shops like evercore without lending capability to become an MD over JPM?
$$$$
Most boutique banks tend to have more of an "eat what you kill" philosophy for the MDs compared to the bulge bracket banks. Some firms will even promise an MD a direct percentage of a deal's revenue as money into their bonus, and MDs know that percentage when negotiating fees and doing pitches. An MD who brings in a M&A deal with a $12 million fee might get an 8% cut, or over $900,000 in cash just for himself (and then they bring in multiple deals per year to earn a multi-million dollar cash bonus). I have heard of some firms having percentages that are like 25% or higher.
This is in comparison to bigger banks who often have much less clarity on what an MD's bonus will be. There is less personal upside for compensation. However, a lot of the big banks win deals simply because the client calls the bank, not the other way around. Like you said, the lending capability leads to some client CFOs using BofA or Citi for everything, whether it be a loan or an M&A deal.
LAZ has their RX team in Chicago
Absolutely not all or even most. Many RX bankers at Lazard in NYC
Lol the head of RX lives in Chicago
Tons of banks ranging from middle market to EBs. You’d be hard pressed to not find a bank represented. May not be their A team but they’ll have an outpost.
IMO Chicago is slept on in terms of banking. Real wealth building opportunity with the cost of living so low.
Can live in the suburbs like a king with a 5k sqft house for $1M or in the city with a super chic high rise condo, or brownstone for the same.
Great public schools too, in the suburbs, and nice private schools in the city
Blair
Yeah tons of banks here. Baird and wb probably have the biggest presence here. I’m not in banking but the couple of people i know like it (md and director).
long term can't really recommend any EBs, most are extremely lean deal teams with little lateral room and sometimes episodic dealflow (can be seen as a plus for some). would say solid mm presence like WB Lincoln BGL Baird gugg all come to mind
u must be joking saying that evercore, laz, moe, pwp are worse than lincoln and baird. some kids at lincoln would cut off their pinky toe for a shot at the EBs
If you knew to read what theyre saying is that joining a 20 person office with 2 mds is gonna be different than working at a MM w 20+ MDs and constant dealflow. Read above about the eat what you kill logic for the boutique model, it’s very true
Barclays has a small but real presence. Total headcount just over 70, mix of markets and IB coverage (believe mostly tech, have to imagine some industrials).The office is more or less a vestige of the Lehman franchise, don’t believe it has been built out much since 2008. Their markets team is credit focused, lots of muni/structured product S&T, eg.
Not based out of there so can’t speak to culture regarding turnover, but imagine it’s more of a lifer office compared to most others.
Mostly tech. Software, FIG, Educational/Learning Software, and Work Tech MD's with a bunch of other Tech Directors/ VPs
One industrials director as well
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