Evaluating the Boutiques

Accepting that BB is better than most no-name boutiques, what should a potential monkey be looking for in a small bank?

For example, one bank im talking to is a full service bank, but works on rather small deals. They claim to deal with a few specific groups, but not the whole gamut. A second works on much larger deals (claims it competes with BB's), but only on one very specific sector. Both banks probably have around 20 bankers in their firm.

For exit ops and overall learning experience, which should I value more?

Additionally, should I be placing deal flow above all of these factors? What else does a "good" boutique have?

Thanks in advance for the intelligent comments I am sure to receive.

6 Comments
 

I would take a strong, sector-focused bank that can compete with BBs (if this claim is true) over a generalist bank that works on shit deals any day of the week. As long as you have any interest in that sector, parlay your experience into a buyside gig with a firm focused on the same sector (do your homework going in).

When evaluating exit opportunities for offers, I always found the most insightful thing to do was to casually ask the first or second year analysts where analyts have gone after their stint with the bank (maybe not a suitable interview question, but appropriate for a wine and dine event).

 

Definitely agree - pick the team that competes with the big boys. The exit opps would be better as would the experience of a bigger deal.

I'd say always choose a top 5 bank and then choose boutiques that compete, and then choose the midrange. Your bonuses, experiences and exit opps I think will be better.

 

Qui nesciunt sed quis dignissimos nesciunt accusamus. Voluptatibus quia sunt veniam quisquam. Iure in deleniti rem sit.

Et quia temporibus tenetur soluta. Accusantium delectus deserunt aut ex inventore quaerat ut eos. Maiores nulla ratione accusamus illo et.

Maxime sapiente non delectus omnis. Nam architecto adipisci minus rerum ratione atque. Inventore porro repellat nobis sequi ex ut quia.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”