Differences between MM, UMM, EB, BB firms?

Recently interned at a MM bank and had a great experience. My hours were in the 60-65/week range, with no expectations to stay in the office past 7pm on a regular day (would just log back on at home).

I’m wondering what the major differences are when working across the different levels of banks. Does the quality of work generally increase? Are most EBs and BBs making analysts stay in office until 2am? Is it a better learning experience?
 

Interested in hearing about peoples’ experiences across these different levels to gauge whether or not it’s really just a prestige thing, or is there something I’m heavily missing out on by not trying to pursue the “upper echelon” of banking.

3 Comments
 

Generally the quality of people increase as you go upmarket but quality of work will depend on the situation. Harris Williams for example produce much higher quality work for a ~1B EV sponsor-backed business service sellside than GS or EVR.

The biggest difference is just the companies you deal with. Sure EVR might go down market for a 250m sellside but Jeff will not go upmarket for a 10B strategic buyside

 

Incoming Analyst in IB - Gen:

Generally the quality of people increase as you go upmarket but quality of work will depend on the situation. Harris Williams for example produce much higher quality work for a ~1B EV sponsor-backed business service sellside than GS or EVR.



The biggest difference is just the companies you deal with. Sure EVR might go down market for a 250m sellside but Jeff will not go upmarket for a 10B strategic buyside. 

Jef has some groups that seem to exclusively wrong with large strategica. I disagree

 
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