Liontree/Allen/FT Partners vs. BAML/CS/BARC
Hey Guys, in a position to go to a specialist boutique or a mid-tier BB. Not from a target, so don't have a good chance of getting the very best BB groups. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
Hey Guys, in a position to go to a specialist boutique or a mid-tier BB. Not from a target, so don't have a good chance of getting the very best BB groups. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
| +85 | Drunk VP. How to manage? | 28 | 9h |
| +45 | How do I take my foot off the gas? (AN1) | 4 | 3d |
| +44 | Lazard US Views 2026/2027 | 16 | 6h |
| +41 | Who is the final boss in Houston Energy? (GS, JEFF or EVR) | 9 | 10h |
| +37 | Tomorrow Will Be Better | 5 | 16h |
| +33 | Moelis PCA vs Lower tier BB Coverage | 19 | 1h |
| +28 | Why Do We Turn Comments? | 3 | 15h |
| +22 | UBS’s Investment Bank Is Building an AI Slop Factory | 2 | 12h |
| +21 | How early is to early? | 9 | 1d |
| +21 | [2026 - October] Unbiased Prestige Rankings | 7 | 12h |
Career Resources
BB in a downmarket when tide comes back in
Are you asking for SA?
Allen is the coolest name out of the bunch. Had a very 'shadow banker' appeal to it.
Agree, Allen’s whole identity is sick. A true white shoe firm. A true EB
Mid-Tier BB hands down. Coming from a non-target doesn't matter as much as you think for group placement, just sell yourself like you did to win the offer.
lol one of those boutiques is not like the others
ok intern
Intern is right, how is FT Partners even in this discussion
Are you interested in Media M&A? If so, Allen and LT are top shops in media whereas the others aren't as strong (though they're still decent options and obviously much stronger in other verticals)
Do you want a boutique experience or a BB experience? Allen and LT are way way way smaller than the BBs and really only do M&A so the working dynamic will be pretty different compared to working coverage at any of the BB names you mentioned
If you're interested in TMT (more so Media), would take LT or Allen. Otherwise, would take the BB
As others have mentioned, FTP doesn't really compare with any of the other options you listed so would not consider them if I were you even with their high base salary
Congrats on your FTP offer
Allen is underrated and regularly competes against GS MS Q on massive deals. Sellside on Activision/MSFT, buy side on Warner media / discovery for example. Probably get a sick experience as an analyst.
I’d also take LionTree over the BBs you listed - the middle BBs are relatively undifferentiated in tech and are all “okay”. You’ll get a much more hands on and unique experience at LionTree (and better exits) than you would any middle BB.
FTP is not on the level of the latter two, but if you like money I could see why you would go there over mid BB
I definitely agree with Allen but LT sucks— just having heard it from people who lateraled to my group (BBTMT).
Would caution against joining as apparently the asshole culture is everywhere from top down and in office 5 days a week. Generally miserable people. Of course, this is coming from people who left.
Those BBs and their respective protected / cultural elements can count for something.
Interesting - have heard the opposite about LT. Which office was your source referring to?
I’ve also heard it’s a sweatshop yeah. Like consistently 3am
The FTP delusion on this site needs to end
How do you even recruit with Allen lmao they don’t even have a website
You have to sneak into their office at night and be waiting for them when they arrive in the morning. That's considered the first round.
They don’t actually leave the office tho
.
Et corrupti ut voluptates et sunt aut. Exercitationem minus est expedita dicta non id sit. Corporis dolores distinctio non optio voluptas est.
Et consequatur omnis debitis. Quo odio dolor adipisci sapiente. Earum ea quia sapiente et.
Labore iusto reprehenderit illo consectetur. Est ipsa consequatur consectetur fugiat. Sit doloribus soluta porro voluptas deserunt eos ad corrupti. Ratione assumenda eos et quia a enim nam.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Et possimus distinctio qui qui rem molestiae. Quis ratione pariatur sed omnis nemo ad. Optio ullam eum quo enim. Possimus et exercitationem et vel.
Sed commodi at amet voluptates doloremque tenetur quis. Quaerat ut incidunt quae nisi laboriosam id.
Ab repudiandae necessitatibus consequatur voluptatum consequatur. Qui natus laboriosam occaecati ut impedit quaerat aut. Sint dolores distinctio maiores omnis quam minima qui.
Labore sunt debitis consequatur et voluptate nihil. Accusamus eius sint culpa nam pariatur. Illum voluptatem nisi quidem quibusdam fugiat officiis nobis cumque.