8 Comments
 

Elite Boutiques (EBs) in Hong Kong generally have a smaller presence compared to Bulge Bracket (BB) banks. Based on the most helpful WSO content:

  1. Presence and Deal Flow:

    • EBs like PJT and Lazard have relatively small offices in Hong Kong. PJT, for instance, is noted to care significantly about elite backgrounds but has limited deal flow compared to BBs.
    • HL (Houlihan Lokey) dominates the restructuring (RX) space in Hong Kong and Mainland China, winning most mandates in this niche. However, it is described as a "total sweatshop" with high pay.
  2. Perception and Prestige:

    • EBs in Hong Kong do not carry the same weight as they do in the US or Europe. BBs tend to dominate the region in terms of brand recognition and deal volume.
    • Lazard's Hong Kong office is described as tight-knit but with weaker deal flow compared to HL.
  3. Exit Opportunities:

    • BBs in Hong Kong are generally seen as offering broader exit opportunities due to their larger deal flow and stronger brand presence in the region.
    • EBs may provide more exposure to specific types of deals (e.g., RX at HL), but their smaller scale can limit exit options compared to BBs.

In summary, while EBs in Hong Kong can offer niche opportunities and high pay in specific areas like restructuring, BBs dominate in terms of overall deal flow, brand recognition, and exit opportunities in the APAC region.

Sources: Q&A: HK IBD, Regional Boutiques are vastly overlooked in IB, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/eb-vs-bb-long-term-and-exits?customgpt=1, The Case for Elite Boutiques over any Bulge Brackets in 2022, BB vs EB in London

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specifically in m&a, believe MOE has the strongest presence in HK among EBs. EVR has zero deal flow in asia ex japan and HL/PJT are rx focused. pjt has a really strong secondaries track record too 

CVP/Q/GUGG/PWP nonexistent

in terms of rx hl/pjt are the strongest on debtor side, not too sure whos who on creditor side 

against BBs per headcount they do quite well - BBs in HK are bloated with all their sector teams (10 juniors + couple of seniors per cov team) sweating and pitching for MM deals which created a lot of pressure on junior paychecks past few years. personally work at a tier 2 BB (think BOFA/Barc) and have observed longer promotion cycles thanks to excess headcount

 

JEF - fast growing in the past 2 years but seems to have tapered
ROTH - asia base is singapore, havent heard much about hong kong

 

BankingBeluga

This is very helpful. How are EBs in terms of deal flow / exit ops? Any insights on Moe?

not too sure on MOE, ive heard a couple of their exits to SWF and one MF a while back

wont have a good sample cuz their analyst class is literally 1 sometimes 2 per year.

 

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