Anyone have insights into Lincoln? Hearing good things about growth and "amazing culture" and everyone I have met that works there seems really nice. But, also hearing things like they're understaffed and analysts/associates putting in 100 hour weeks regularly. Will be recruiting for post MBA associate roles and wondering how it compares to a Baird/Blair/Lazard type MM shop? Maybe hours are just as bad at those places? Assuming comp is similar for all of those but could be wrong. Any insight on Lincoln would be appreciated!
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Recruited post-MBA at most of the above
It’s true that the people are great, a true Midwestern culture and you’ll get guaranteed deal flow
Downside is also true—you are churning through deals and hours are bad. Pay is solid but also a bit below Baird / Blair (generally speaking). Would say hours are pretty bad at those two places too (varies a bit between groups, some at Blair seem consistently lighter than most, Baird consumer notably light, industrials notably rough)
I think the average person would take a Blair or Baird over lincoln due to the greater variety / average size of deals and slightly better pay, but lincoln is a great shop
Don’t know enough about Lazard to comment
Lincoln Associate here. Not sure we pay below Baird and Blair. Associate is $175 / $200 / $225 with bonuses at 100%+ of base last year. I think Blair is the same pay scale, and Baird is a flat $200 for Associates. But yes, probably smaller deals on average. MDs averaged $5MM+ in fees per head last year
They made $5mm or did $5mm in revenue? If revenue, isn’t that pretty light?
Blair / Baird definitely a step above and pays slightly more. I used to work at Lincoln and would say it’s borderline a sweat shop in some groups due to the low transaction value and high volume.
Agree with the above, group dependent. TMT is relatively sweaty (90+ hours on average) but strong deal flow, especially for TMT, industrials, and HC. Good experience and reps, smaller deal sizes ($100-500M, likely averaging closer to $150-200 but moving up market). Good people and overall a good place to be.
How are the tmt MDs?
If you're going to work for Lincoln, work in the Chicago office. Good culture in that office and better brand name recognition in that geography. New York and Los Angeles are tougher.
Could you elaborate further on the LA office?
Turnover isn't handled well.
Their HC group churns deals - we probably get a CIM from them every other day lol. Exaggerating but they do a huge number of low dollar deals and effectively utilize their scale / institutional advantages to bump smaller broker / boutiques out.
Obv they do compete against other true middle market banks but their niche (HC wise) is def LMM.
Interesting - would you say their hc group is getting better or that they focus on lower quality assets?
Very familiar with one of the business models of a company that they provided sell-side service for within the past-year in the HC sector. Lincoln seems in-line competition with MM banks that have high HC deal flow. Way more active than I thought after looking at their transaction page.
Are they still recruiting 23?
Have heard that associates work 3 AM nights usually and is very sweaty.
how does lincoln compare with solomon partnesr chicago?
May I ask what the Associate 1 base and comp is like at Lincoln? Thank you!
$175k base
I would say bonuses are “street,” but the last few years things have gotten crazy in terms of places varying a lot more. Bonuses last year lagged a small amount behind some of the other MMs. Bonuses this year were surprisingly great compared to peers
I appreciate your inputs.
Networked for Chicago office and can confidently say they have some of the coolest people around. You will get deal experience (albeit smaller). Seemed to me that there were more females at the office than other places as well for what that’s worth. Great firm if that’s what you’re looking for
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