Investment Banking Associate in Denver?

I have just started my MBA at a T15. 

My family & fiances family are all from Denver and so we are planning to live in Denver post graduation and for the long run. Is it feasible to find an IB associate job in Denver or are most of the satellite offices shadow offices with no actual room for associates to join (e.g. Baird). 

Also, are the hours at all better in Denver IB or is it still a meat grinder where I should probably look elsewhere since IB associates don't have exit opps and I am not sure I can sustain the traditional IB grind to make a true career out of it unless the hours are a bit more lenient. (Obviously willing to trade down on comp and prestige for more sustainable hours). Otherwise consulting it is!

Thanks for the insight. 

15 Comments
 

Based on previous WSO threads, here's what you need to know about Investment Banking in Denver:

  1. Firms and Opportunities:

    • Petrie/TPH: Known for their energy offices.
    • Raymond James: Has a relatively diverse shop in Denver.
    • St. Charles (now part of KPMG): Previously had a presence in Denver, with some employees moving to respectable buy-side gigs.
  2. Expansion and Footprint:

    • There have been inquiries about the expansion of these firms in Denver, but specific updates on their growth are not detailed in the knowledge base.
  3. Feasibility of Finding an IB Associate Job:

    • It is feasible to find an IB associate job in Denver, especially if you focus on networking and preparing for interviews.
    • Some firms may focus their recruiting efforts on candidates from major cities like NYC, LA, Houston, and Chicago, but with effort, you can land a decent position in Denver.
  4. Work Hours and Lifestyle:

    • The knowledge base does not provide specific details on whether the hours in Denver IB are better compared to other locations.
    • Generally, IB roles are demanding, but the lifestyle can vary depending on the firm and the specific office culture.
  5. Exit Opportunities:

    • There are exit opportunities in Denver, particularly in the energy sector and other buy-side roles.
    • If you want full optionality to move to a different locale in the future, consider firms like TPH, which are recognized in the energy space.
  6. Personal Considerations:

    • If you are willing to trade down on compensation and prestige for more sustainable hours, it might be worth exploring specific firms in Denver to understand their work culture and expectations.
    • Consulting could be a viable alternative if you find the traditional IB grind unsustainable.

In summary, while Denver may not have the same volume of opportunities as major financial hubs, it is possible to find a rewarding IB associate position with the right approach and preparation. Networking and understanding the specific dynamics of the Denver IB scene will be crucial.

Sources: What is life like in an IB satellite office?, Investment Banking In Denver, Investment Banking in Denver, How screwed are IB associates if they're laid off?, The best of the back (or middle) office?

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

Doesn't Baird only have a sponsor coverage guy there? There are a bunch of single shingle MDs from MMs, but I am not aware of any material satellite offices that would do significant M&A work, so my sense is that you should not bank on having a spot or spots available with a legit institution.

Your best option may be to stick it out a couple of years at a MM firm in a larger market and then relocate remotely to Denver. As you move up, you travel more anyway, which is just as easy from Denver as most markets.

 

Petrie Partners, DA Davidson, and FMI are the largest / best shops in Denver. Petrie works in the oil & gas space, DA Davidson is diversified industrials, and FMI is construction / engineering. There are a few other shops in town, but the comp is shit and deals would all be LMM. Raymond James and William Blair both used to have a Denver presence, but Raymond James as far as I know is nonexistent now and William Blair whittled down to like 3 people   

 
Most Helpful

Alpha order here to give you the lay of the land:

-Baserock Partners - Built environment (spun out of FMI); small but growing

-BoA - Has a 2-3 guys doing energy

-Capstone - went south after being acquired by Huntington National; mass exodus of MDs

-Class VI - Sleepy shop, do other things outside of IB, don't see much from them

-DA Davidson - Industrials group, heard very sweaty know they've struggled with turnover

-FMI - Built environment, appear to have steadily grown after nuking the junior team during Covid

-Forbes M&A - Everyone pokes fun at each bank, but everyone collectively makes fun of these guys

-Forvis - Small, no idea what they do

-GLC Advisors - Old St. Charles guys; don't understand how they work with their Rx guys, but hear M&A is out of Denver

-KPMG Corporate Finance - Not sure how big the team is Denver

-Industria Partners - Small shop, only 3 partners

-Integris Partners - Small shop, consumer focus

-Petrie Partners - Oil & Gas; I think just run in their own lane being the only O&G guys in town

-Q Advisors - TMT (mostly telecom)

-Quadriga - Healthcare, also heard very sweaty

-Raymond James - Healthcare I think; not sure they're still in town

-SDR Ventures - Small shop

-TPH - I think is here, but not sure any IB guys, I could be wrong. If so would compete with Petrie

 

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