Houston IB Exits - BB

For the top BB's in Houston (MS/GS), what are some potential exit opportunities following the 2 year stint in banking. Do analysts have the option to work at a buyside generalist firm in NY/SF or are their options narrowed down to energy and infrastructure? Any examples of firms that analysts from these firms have exited would be greatly appreciated

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Previously at one of those groups (take a wild guess) a few years ago and can opine.

It is “possible” to go Generalist NY, and I’d say in hindsight that coming from a bigger “name” gives better leverage even if not the top dog in Houston. Also, think it’s a funny dynamic that the less diehard energy people end up in those teams vs. the specifically good Houston teams at other banks (Jefferies). So it’s also somewhat self selection.

Now, I’d say every year, ~1-2 person per class at a GS/MS goes to a non-energy / generalist MF/UMM during on-cycle. Ultimately, the issue is that the head hunters naturally bucket you into the energy/infra bucket, so it’s an up-hill battle to get looks from generalist / non-energy seats (even vs. NY based P&U teams). So if you don’t get on-cycle, then you are somewhat stuck in a situation where you are getting good looks from the bigger names/MF in energy / infra, but then more MM generalist funds.

Even for folks that don’t like / feel passionate for energy still have a hard time passing up on comp + brand name of the larger infra/energy funds with the view they can pivot once they get to NY vs taking some “branding” hit going to a smaller fund.

Last couple years with O&G/energy funds struggling to raise, biggest pipeline has been people looking to diversify from oil + most wanting NY, and make the jump to infrastructure which has a bunch of adjacencies. Assuming things will change over time and always hard to predict where things land 2 years out.

Mainly - if you want to do generalist at a bigger shop, got to prep / run head hunters pre on-cycle + ideally have some sort of edge / in to specific funds you’re targeting to get the best shot - since it’s always somewhat up-hill. This isn’t to say that you have to do that / it’s not possible other ways, just have seen this play out enough where folks are fine settling staying in energy/infra vs having to take a perceived step-down vs peers. Also, doesn’t help when half your class just signed GIP, Stonepeak, Blackstone Infra and you start feeling the heat.

Happy to help on any other Qs.

 

Previously at one of those groups (take a wild guess) a few years ago and can opine.

It is “possible” to go Generalist NY, and I’d say in hindsight that coming from a bigger “name” gives better leverage even if not the top dog in Houston. Also, think it’s a funny dynamic that the less diehard energy people end up in those teams vs. the specifically good Houston teams at other banks (Jefferies). So it’s also somewhat self selection.

Now, I’d say every year, ~1-2 person per class at a GS/MS goes to a non-energy / generalist MF/UMM during on-cycle. Ultimately, the issue is that the head hunters naturally bucket you into the energy/infra bucket, so it’s an up-hill battle to get looks from generalist / non-energy seats (even vs. NY based P&U teams). So if you don’t get on-cycle, then you are somewhat stuck in a situation where you are getting good looks from the bigger names/MF in energy / infra, but then more MM generalist funds.

Even for folks that don’t like / feel passionate for energy still have a hard time passing up on comp + brand name of the larger infra/energy funds with the view they can pivot once they get to NY vs taking some “branding” hit going to a smaller fund.

Last couple years with O&G/energy funds struggling to raise, biggest pipeline has been people looking to diversify from oil + most wanting NY, and make the jump to infrastructure which has a bunch of adjacencies. Assuming things will change over time and always hard to predict where things land 2 years out.

Mainly - if you want to do generalist at a bigger shop, got to prep / run head hunters pre on-cycle + ideally have some sort of edge / in to specific funds you’re targeting to get the best shot - since it’s always somewhat up-hill. This isn’t to say that you have to do that / it’s not possible other ways, just have seen this play out enough where folks are fine settling staying in energy/infra vs having to take a perceived step-down vs peers. Also, doesn’t help when half your class just signed GIP, Snowpoint, Blackstone Infra and you start feeling the heat.

Happy to help on any other Qs.

Snowpoint? I think you mean Stonepeak

 

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