Lazard HC vs. CS HC

Lazard Healthcare vs. CS Healthcare

Lazard has arguably a stronger name than CS, CS HC places very very well at megafunds. Also the CS healthcare group did one of the biggest LBOs in history (33bn Hospital Corp of America), not sure what Lazard HC has done...

which would you choose?

15 Comments
 
Best Response

Lazard's Capital Markets franchise is a seperate business than their core M&A advisory business...

In your case, if you're comparing CS IBD, you're likely comparing with Lazard's core advisory business. Is Lazard a strong name? Yup. Within the industry, it has stronger brand recognition than CS, but with the caveat that if you go anywhere outside of the US (especially Asia), I can guarantee you no one has heard of Lazard Freres before whereas CS is a pretty global brandname.

Also, Lazard's advantage is that you work in a small team environment and learn a lot. However, downside is that in a sense, you're really pigeonholed. Most of what you will work on is M&A- it's even more of a pigeonhole because it's M&A within a specific Industry.

Last thing to consider is culture. I know people at both, and I can tell you it's like Day and Night. Lazard is a down-to-business type of culture. Business formal everyday, WILL GET WORKED LIKE A HORSE. Pay is at least top bracket on the rest of the street. You learn a lot.

CS on the other hand, is definitely one of the most relaxed, conservative banks on the street. It's a very collaborative type of environment, and definitely an easier pace. Doesn't mean you won't work hard- you will, but it lacks the competitive urgecy you will see at Lazard.

Both places have their merits, and if you are good at either one, you will place well into the buyside (although I imagine if a megafund is specifically what you want, it could be easier going from Lazard). Keep in mind though... even at Lazard getting into a megafund is no walk in the park. And you will be facing the best of the best from Wharton.

 
ixjunitxiLazard Healthcare M&A, is an ABSOLUTE sweatshop. One of the tougher groups at the firm. However, each analyst placed into a top 3 PE fund...so just something to consider
estimate of hours/week?
 

thanks for the advice. I understand Laz is a huge sweatshop, but aren't all investment banks sweatshops with those kind of hours? The marginal increase in hours over other banks probably doesn't make a difference in the 100 hour range.

I am not sure if each group does its own M&A, but it's Lazard Healthcare, not necessarily M&A. Perhaps that's a subgroup.

========================================= We are excited to formally extend to you an offer to join Bank of Ameria
 
PiperJaffrayChiangLazard Healthcare vs. CS Healthcare

Lazard has arguably a stronger name than CS, CS HC places very very well at megafunds. Also the CS healthcare group did one of the biggest LBOs in history (33bn Hospital Corp of America), not sure what Lazard HC has done...

which would you choose?

CS HC places very very well at megafunds? Can you give some examples?

Also, I don't think they were in any of the big 3 HC deals last year

 

ex. first year analyst already has offer at Carlye...

========================================= We are excited to formally extend to you an offer to join Bank of Ameria
 

Adipisci dolores sit qui temporibus. Sint id voluptas dolores sit quibusdam ea omnis. Ea ex quia alias est.

Laudantium ut cum esse ut quia. Tenetur facilis nisi odio provident animi et accusantium. Praesentium inventore odio voluptate commodi aliquid rerum. Temporibus sunt consectetur nisi aut laudantium culpa. Sed suscipit officiis voluptatum repellat. Aut sed et expedita corporis culpa est rem.

Earum quas itaque recusandae ipsam sit delectus. Doloribus maxime in voluptas et. Quibusdam alias voluptates et occaecati sed. Omnis velit sed natus sit illum laudantium inventore.

Eum dolorem voluptatem officiis nihil. Voluptatem est enim eligendi iusto doloribus optio. Nam eligendi odio at ut et saepe quam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (56) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
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...”