IB Group ranking s

Can someone rank groups based on comp, hours, prestige? best group overall. I’ve heard gs FIG is up there, evercore M&A too.

Any input is appreciated

6,177 WSO Academy Investment Banking Session Reviews: 4.82/5

Class of '27 Aug 2025 Cohort

5.00/5

Investment Banking Mock Interview

“Such a good mentor, really knowledgable and thoughtful. Moreover, Constantin was a really approachable and friendly- making the session enjoyable in addition to well planned. I could not recommend him enough and will definitely be using him in the future. ”

Thompson Rivers University

Class of '29 Nov 2026 Cohort

4.63/5

Investment Banking Career Roadmap (optional)

“The session was incredibly valuable because the mentor offered fresh perspectives and helped me look at my career goals from a different angle. They shared insights that I had not previously considered, which gave me a better understanding of the industry and the different paths I could pursue. I especially appreciated their willingness to share their experiences and provide thoughtful advice tailored to my situation. The conversation helped me think more critically about my next steps and how I can better position myself for future opportunities. Overall, I found the discussion insightful and genuinely helpful, and I left the session with new ideas and a broader perspective on my career journey.”

See All 11,416 WSO Academy Reviews

2 Comments

WSO Monkey Bot

O

1y

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a breakdown of investment banking groups ranked by compensation, hours, and prestige:

Top Groups by Compensation

PJT Partners: Known for high bonuses, with first-year analyst compensation reaching ~$167,100.
Moelis & Company: Consistently offers top-tier pay, with associate compensation around $270,000.
Houlihan Lokey: Leads in associate compensation at ~$310,500.
Evercore: Strong compensation across all levels, making it a top choice.

Top Groups by Hours

Groups like Goldman Sachs FIG and Evercore M&A are known for intense hours but offer high prestige and exit opportunities.
Boutique firms like PJT Partners and Moelis also demand long hours but compensate well for the workload.

Top Groups by Prestige

Goldman Sachs FIG: Still considered the gold standard in the industry.
Evercore M&A: Highly prestigious with excellent deal flow and exit opportunities.
Lazard: A powerful name in the business, especially in M&A.
Centerview Partners: Known for its exclusivity and strong reputation.

Best Overall Groups

Goldman Sachs FIG: Combines prestige, strong compensation, and excellent exit opportunities.
Evercore M&A: Offers a balance of prestige, high comp, and strong deal flow.
PJT Partners: Exceptional compensation and prestige, especially in restructuring.
Moelis & Company: High comp and strong reputation, particularly in M&A.

If you're looking for the best overall group, Evercore M&A and Goldman Sachs FIG are consistently mentioned as top-tier choices. However, your decision should also factor in your career goals, work-life balance preferences, and long-term aspirations.

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/2017-investment-banking-report-8-key-trends-to-know?customgpt=1, Official Investment Banking Rankings: Boutique and Bulge Bracket Prestige, 2017 Investment Banking Report: 8 Key Trends to Know, Official Investment Banking Rankings: Boutique and Bulge Bracket Prestige

Reply

Quote

Report

Other

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

IB

Associate 1 in IB-M&A

1y

Quis sint molestiae delectus quisquam aut tempore illo. Commodi sit reiciendis qui neque ipsa repellat. Delectus ea repellat et. Perspiciatis porro distinctio aut nemo.

Porro quos at fugit est magnam sint rerum. Est et explicabo quia quod dicta ipsam. Dolor nulla voluptatibus corrupti quas. Aut sit ab harum sit odio tempore. Ex dolores quo enim est laudantium quos veritatis pariatur.

Dolorem labore velit cum. Illo nam dicta nemo accusamus. Et occaecati voluptatem reprehenderit mollitia porro. Necessitatibus excepturi enim illum illo eligendi. Autem iste officiis tempore cum reiciendis velit quia. Sequi est sapiente et nam eos facilis.

Quia molestiae recusandae omnis iure. Qui recusandae molestias natus quisquam rerum sunt dolor. Reiciendis quas possimus omnis accusamus nostrum voluptate qui.