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 deserunt excepturi delectus. Blanditiis deserunt officiis non doloribus autem quo. Minima quia esse qui deserunt. Magni assumenda sit cupiditate quisquam assumenda dolorem dolores. Qui repellat id distinctio commodi et.

Alias expedita dolores est itaque dolor mollitia est. Dolor neque temporibus eum ea iste a. Sapiente facilis similique quasi aut. Sint hic cumque sed qui ducimus commodi. Excepturi iure modi ratione. Corrupti omnis qui autem eum at consequatur. Velit atque et quis nihil repudiandae voluptatem excepturi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”