HK: CS vs HSBC vs BAML (all IBD SA)

Assuming you get offers from all 3 for SA in HK, which would you go for?

1) Not native mandarin speaker per se so probably will be staffed on non-China deals
2) Not eyeing exit for now if I get to return, probably not until beyond VP...

I heard BAML return rate was 5 out of 2x last year, compared to 80-100% at CS/HSBC.
HSBC has the highest base comp (30+% higher), equally strong(?) as CS based on dealogic for this/last year, but promotion seems less structured than other BBs

My non-local friends are all telling me CS but my local friends say HSBC for sure. What are your thoughts? :P

 
Best Response

Hmmm, while the HSBC package does sound really enticing, I honestly think you should consider brand name and exit opps. CS and even BAML will just place you much better for exit opps/b-school. But of course, BAML's return rate is low so not worth going there.

Just my two cents.

 

GS is king in HK. CS actually has the strongest presence of all the BB's in Asia overall, but that's primarily in Singapore. I've heard terrible things about the world culture at CS though...

 

GS is good, but clearly not the king in HK. HK has a very over-banked environment and there's no set "tiers" of BBs. this year is a bit of divergence from the usual, but check Finance Asia league table powered by dealogic. If you are aiming for SA->FT track I would say take a closer look at the IB M&A Fees ranking. That being said, I think MS M&A is killing it this year.

 

Doloribus repellat doloribus et neque earum. Quidem ipsum est rerum quasi et est nobis occaecati.

Sed molestias ratione deleniti dolores ullam. Aut est quisquam quibusdam nihil saepe aut. Sapiente maiores voluptate ipsam omnis voluptates consectetur. Quia aspernatur et earum sit blanditiis. Dolor molestiae vero sint rem commodi.

 

Magni et illum consequatur et consequuntur est. Est natus esse et expedita. Suscipit delectus molestias illum.

Impedit eum corrupti laborum sunt nostrum corrupti molestiae. Eum accusamus temporibus id omnis quasi eaque vel. Quo aliquid laboriosam blanditiis quia natus ut. Veritatis dolorem doloribus quasi sed.

Placeat tempora nostrum ea est. Harum voluptatum similique qui maiores id at explicabo quisquam. Reprehenderit deleniti maiores et sit iusto. Quia laborum in quos officia est fugiat minima nostrum.

Eum ullam tempora est omnis quaerat quo illum. Quam labore voluptatem aut quis. Voluptatum quisquam id quasi dolor. Est dolores et saepe enim.

What concert costs 45 cents? 50 Cent feat. Nickelback.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”