Fintech v. Traditional Finance?

What's up Chimps,

Background:

I just started an entry-level role at a fintech company that serves as a secure go-between for merchants, consumers, acquirers, and our sponsored BBs. I'm in the first weeks of training, but the work itself seems super interesting (lots of risk mgmt/analysis, regulatory research, fraud investigation, and financial analysis down the line).

Before starting, I just saw it as a good way to accentuate my schooling (currently studying Data Analytics at Penn). Now, however, I could actually see myself sticking around after finishing my degree. The company has grown from 30 to 100 people in two years (they waited to do a cap raise, so sat at 20-30 peeps for a while).

Sure, the pay won't be insane from day 1, but that's fine because they're NYC-based but are staying remote, so COL isn't an issue. The role I'm in (CX) would give me a comprehensive look into our products, procedures, client needs, etc., and would give me a level of subject-matter expertise over transactions, credit utilization, risk analysis, and card-issuing processes. When coupled with my Data Analytics education, I would be on track to become a finance data analyst, risk analyst, ops research, or treasury analyst in a couple of years. I'd be at 80k-100k starting in those areas here, which is much lower than IB, but the benefits include 40 hour weeks, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm workdays, unlimited PTO/sick leave/etc., equity in the company (that still has a lot of room to grow). Not to mention that they just rebranded their enterprise product this year, so there is a great deal of opportunity to show out and help drive value in a real way as they build that wing out. Big perk: All business is inbound and organic (haven't spent a dime on marketing in two years), and they're revenue positive, which in my eyes meant stability. The CEO is also very pragmatic, respectful, receptive, and transparent.

That being said:

If you all had to go back and do it all over again, which would you choose? The opportunity that will take a couple of years to pay off career-wise, but has a great team, great learning opps, and decent pay? Or would you still gun for an IB/HF/PE internship, then try to crank out your 1-2 years in that realm before seeking another exit opp?


Would love to get your input!

 

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