CS/Citi M&A/FSG vs. lower GS group

Hi Monkeys,

Deciding between an M&A/FSG offer at Citi/CS vs. almost certainly ending up in a lower ranking GS group (NatRes, CNR, RE, HC). The former I've been verbally guaranteed by a senior person that I'd be placed in their group if I signed — they're aware of the GS offer and have been trying to get me to sign — whereas for the latter, I've done zero networking at the TMT/FIG types at GS, but a good bit at a few of the groups generally ranked lower. Advice? Not set on going into PE.

 

I had a similar decision. Ultimately went with the group that had a guaranteed spot; I also thought it was a good fit.

 
Most Helpful

Unless it is RE, I would go with GS. GS doesn't really have "weak" groups. The only reason I even say unless RE is that RE is specialized wherever you go. HC, CNR and NatRes at GS are still fantastic groups with great placements, and the value of the GS brand can't be understated. The worst of these groups, which is probably NatRes, has more or less equal exits to the top Citi/CS groups. HC/Consumer would be even better.

I would caveat the above by asking how the GS group placement works this year. Historically they have combined capital markets. If that is the case and there is a risk of you landing in DCM or ECM, then certainly go for the Citi/CS offer. Similarly if you risk getting placed into one of their niche / weird groups that they sometimes put under IBD, like Urban Infra (I forget the exact name), which is basically a public finance group. If you are guaranteed an IB coverage group i.e. NatRes, CRG, HC, etc and won't get placed into a capital markets team or one of these strange other groups, then I would definitely go for that.

 

FYI that weird group is called Municipal Finance or PSI (Public Sector & Infrastructure)

 

MAB@PE nailed it. Would think GS prevails unless you are placed in AFG, which is the capital market arm under IBD and includes ECM/DCM/LevFin. LevFin at GS does have an industry-focused angle but the model is mostly covered by the corp finance team. That being said, exclude the possible placement in AFG, I'd go for GS for better organizational structure and leading advisory share of wallet.

 

I have a thing for FSG at CS, I would go there if that’s what you have. same for M&A at Citi

 

I just mean that I can either get the best group at Citi/CS or I can totally roll the dice at GS

 

Libero in aut sit numquam. Beatae ipsam sit commodi esse et. Sequi distinctio est assumenda labore alias eos velit. Odit perspiciatis voluptate impedit qui officia rerum ut aut. Consectetur sed esse voluptas rerum. Iusto sed doloremque harum nihil.

Exercitationem expedita recusandae excepturi quis. Exercitationem eum explicabo rem officiis. Cumque et nemo rerum eos voluptatum laudantium accusantium aspernatur. Et aut unde aut consequatur deleniti unde pariatur temporibus. Quod quis atque pariatur ut ut. Sapiente necessitatibus laudantium laboriosam quas voluptatum molestiae.

Alias adipisci aperiam eaque et omnis blanditiis. Dolor porro veritatis aut sed sunt vel temporibus. Dolor corporis architecto repellat consequatur molestiae illo tenetur. Laudantium enim porro modi aut. Commodi voluptatum ducimus omnis eveniet illo et. Ut et quam quo et sed rerum. Animi maxime laboriosam placeat qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”