Merrill IBK Corporate Finance Group

Can somebody explain what the Corporate Finance group (I assume that it's a product group) within IBK does? I'm not familiar with other firms having this type of group. Strength of the group? Interesting work? Degree of technicalness/amount of modeling/acquirable skills?

Thanks!

20 Comments
 

Thanks, can you elaborate? What do you mean by "runs lean"... not a lot of bankers in the group? Is the high degree of technicality a useful learning tool, or is it too specialized to be transferable (like FIG)? If my top choice group is M&A, how comparable is Corporate Finance?

Thanks.

 

This all comes from a good friend in the group. Runs lean as in there are 15 or so MDs w/ 5 or 6 analysts to support them (you'll gain a ton of responsibility and work a ton of hours - 100+). You'll do some M&A, but if your top choice is M&A then go do M&A. Most of their analysts leave for HFs or jump on with other groups for their 3rd year. Very good technical foundation.

 

Thanks for the info. I was considering what would be a good backup in case I can't get into the M&A or sponsors groups. This group sounds very intense (and probably equally competitive considering there are only 5-6 analysts).

When you say that they provide "solutions based on unique needs of clients", do you mean that the group works on a complete variety of products/services, depending on w/e the client needs (i.e. ranging from M&A advisory to debt or equity financing)? If so, I think this may be a very attractive group that would provide the technicality of M&A while still providing exposure to many different areas.

 

I know you mentioned HF and jumping groups... I'm curious, is there good placement into PE from this group?

After what you posted, I became really interested in the group. It seems to offer the technical type of work that I like, yet offering some variety, a dynamic bonus over strictly M&A. I got the chance to speak with an Associate from the group, but he's only been there a few months and couldn't really speak about post-analyst placement.

 
CraftyDragoonCertainly not one of the competitive groups. My cousin told me many of those in the group were from non-targets and came in through diversity programs.

Not at all true. Please, do not post false information. You make yourself look like an idiot. This is now the second time you've posted nonsense.

I can post backgrounds of the analysts in this group if you'd like. Most are from targets and most are not diversity hires. There's only 5 analysts in the group so I don't even know what the fuck you define as "most." Get back to your quant homework.

Please go back to posting your usual "everyone discriminates against us quant geeks" threads. No wonder you can't land an offer.

 

NYStateofmind

Are you sure you are qualified to make these comments? or even comment here at all?

I received an 800/800 on the math portion of the SAT I, numerous 800's on SAT II math subjects tests, as well as a 5/5 on the Calc BC AP exam. In addition, I have a 3.9 GPA as an applied math and economics major. Do you honestly claim that your stats come even close to this?

 
Best Response
CraftyDragoonNYStateofmind

Are you sure you are qualified to make these comments? or even comment here at all?

I received an 800/800 on the math portion of the SAT I, numerous 800's on SAT II math subjects tests, as well as a 5/5 on the Calc BC AP exam. In addition, I have a 3.9 GPA as an applied math and economics major. Do you honestly claim that your stats come even close to this?

Hmm somehow I'm not surprised at all. You would the type of person to apply test score performance to knowing everything about everything. Your test scores don't "qualify" you for shit - clearly not for getting along w/ people.

Nah, my stats don't come close to yours (non-target, lower GPA, although my SAT was perfect). But then again, I got a SA offer, a FT offer, and now work somewhere you'd probably give your left nut to work. I'll take my situation over yours.

 
CraftyDragoonWang, as an asian, you should have my back

Yeah, remind me to "have your back" after you present your next well-constructed argument.

 

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