DC Advisory US - Good MM?

They ranked top 25 Vault in the last 2 years and seem to have a solid deal flow, cultures, and growth trajectory. Any thoughts about the firm? Thanks!

71 Comments
 

You are looking at the prestige list where they are unranked, not the overall list, where they are 17. All I'm saying is that I would always pick the tangible benefits of better comp and W/L balance over some amorphous "prestige" that I feel like every analyst and intern obsesses over. After you’re engaged and have a few bonuses in the bank, the whole “prestige” thing really doesn’t matter if you’re good at your job and can prove it.

 

They actually are somewhat unique insofar as they're the IB arm of a massive commercial banking enterprise but they actually have a real M&A franchise and aren't just doing IG Bond issuances for other huge banks with minimal M&A activity, as is common for the IB arm of large commercial banks. 

So kudos for that, but yeah, agree with everyone else they aren't like anything wildly special. Just a decent MM bank that seems to be making a concerted effort to up their standing in the world.   

 

i think moelis bankers were too jaded when they were filling out the surveys

 
Controversial

Their deal flow is good because of their international presence and growing US presence. They have solid leadership with good contacts as well. If you want solid M&A reps in the LMM/MM area and don't want to pick a coverage group immediately as a FT analyst (both SA and FT analysts are generalists), then they are a firm you may want to consider. Also, the people there seem to actually like each other and it seems like a pretty fun culture.

But again, they aren't an EB or close to that yet in terms of prestige. However, you can certainly exit to solid MM PE shops if you choose to do that.

 

I mean LMM is probably more reasonable but generally the analysts that want to exit to PE typically end up successfully landing a gig in the CMM/LMM area. Of course it’s hard to say whether it’s because they are top performers or not since retention is weirdly high at DC Advisory after 2 years.

 

Someone has been trying to trash the bank on here for a while. This stuff is demonstrably false. They pay $175K for Associates in NYC. It's probably all the same person with different accounts, including comments from people that claim to work or have worked for DC Advisory and then go on to make defamatory comments about the bank. 

Actually very stupid. If anyone cared enough they would be well within their rights to make a case for impersonation/defamation. It's one thing to go online and say "XYZ Bank sucks" it is another to pretend to be an official member/representative of such a bank and then make profane or slanderous comments. 

 

Some points to add. Dc office is their biggest rev generator even though ny has the biggest headcount. They are on full growth mode in the U.S with the goal of expanding team from 200 to 400 within next 5 years. Recently hired 6 mds (2 in infra, consumer and h.c each).

They might be an “international” bank but have a “country ceo” and have grown to different countries by rollups. India team has been doing really well.

 

It’s funny to see OP ask the community for their thoughts, but then repeatedly argue with the unanimous opinion: congrats on the job, but if you want the market view, DC is mediocre at best. Now you can either ignore it and be gung ho about your firm (most respectable option) or you can take it and plan your next move.

Instead OP has argued with everybody using meaningless rankings to create a reality in his head where DC is some top firm. This just makes you and the company look bad. Either be confident about your bank or use your insecurity to lateral, not to argue on the internet lol.

 
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Ex DC Analyst here. DC office culture is trash at the senior / mid level (software / tech head is so toxic and childish, VPs breath down your neck). Comp is street, DC office hours / WLB worse than street. And what others have echo'd, lack of brand name.

Retention is terrible, they don't pay enough or have the brand recognition to work analysts / associates that hard so lots of churn before the 3 year analyst stint is up.

Overall, decent experience but definitely go to another MM if you get the chance (RJ, HW, Baird, HL, etc) 

 

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