Was fortunate enough to receive offers from both. Having a tough time deciding. What should I take if I’m more focused on culture, exits, and don’t care much about RX. Would appreciate any thoughts.
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Culture:
Exits:
RX Focus:
Recommendation:
If culture and M&A-focused exits are your priority, Lazard might be the better fit. However, if you’re open to a more intense environment with strong exit opportunities, particularly in LA, Moelis could be worth considering. Ultimately, think about where you felt more comfortable during networking and interviews, as team dynamics can make a significant difference.
Sources: HL RX vs Moelis, Moelis NY in 2020? Top Groups? Exits?, Choosing RX over M&A -- anyone recommend this?, MOELIS LA SA 2021, Restructuring prospects, why you should not consider restructuring
Lazard—clearly wins in both those categories as well as brand.
According to your post history you are a sophomore who is asking stupid questions like "does resume not matter because banks tracks networking on a spreadsheet". Wtf do you know about culture, exit, and brand of any bank?
Apparently incoming lazard analyst at my XYZ top school club said so so stfu pls
Xxx
Lazard - I don’t really think there’s a compelling argument otherwise
Moelis sweeps lol. Esp if you don’t care about rx
Laz was on the verge of getting Greenhilled and sold to ADQ. The only pro for Laz is if you want to work on more public m&a.
ADQ sale would have been the best thing possible for Laz ironically. You know the Saudis got the pockets to get returns on their investments
Pretty clear that Moelis in U.S. and Lazard in Europe. You get the same opportunity in the states but Lazard seems like a sinking ship to me but that won’t matter for a few years until they actually get fucked which may or may not happen. Yeah, to be safe, I’ll just go with Moelis.
Stop monkey shitting me lazard interns. Let’s just be real. lazard rx chicago seemed to be closing their office last year.
Culture is Lazard. Exits is Lazard. Prestige in and out of industry is Lazard. Pay is Moelis. Moelis good bit more A2A p sure as well so would consider that too. Would say Lazard but may be biased (at my target would say Lazard is seen as a tier above). Can't make a bad decision here obviously. Best of luck!
This is so false.
Moelis has been cracking down on A2As and a 3 year analyst program is much more likely (because analysts have so much success exiting and use Moelis to get to PE).
Lazard has a better culture. Moelis undoubtedly pays better and has better (marginally, you’re splitting hairs at this point) exits.
First part is good to know. Lazard has objectively better exits though.
Think its Moelis. Everyone saying "its clear" is wrong. Very comparable shops but Moelis has been growing in the US and Lazard has been shrinking and underperforming. I think if RX is in the question then its even more Moelis but just personal opinion having seen exits and analysts from both firms
Go to Moelis. You will get paid more. Lazard comps its bonuses to that of bulges and not other boutiques.
As far as prestige, it’s a maybe. It’s all about creds; you’ll get meaningful reps at Moelis which is what matters.
Seems everyone on this forum is dead set on shitting on the Moelis brand name as much as they can.
I can tell you with certainty in industry that MOE is still highly regarded, specifically with respect to pay and exits (and particularly compared to Lazard).
Lazard is a much better place to go A2A and stay on as a career banker, but for optionally, I’d say MOE positions you better. You’re going to fucking work though.
Pretty understandable why people shit on Moelis considering they ask fucking implications of section 338h10 election to summer analyst candidates and how that would differently impacted c corp vs s corp. It's a good brand but they kinda earned the hate.
So they get shit on for having difficult interviews and high standards..?
Clearly some people know the answer and Rx group is top 3 in space.
Both great options. Obviously you can't make a "wrong" choice. Feel like this isn't that close, though, personally. To echo what some in this have pointed out, LAZ has a better brand, exits better, and has a better work environment. I think MOE is awesome and would recommend it over a lot of places, but LAZ is just...better.
Last thread when people voted it was like 66 moe 54 laz. It's so interesting cus u guys all look alike from cvp/evr
Bruh. Lazard.
Moelis
Moelis is clear of Lazard now. To be frank, Lazard is dying imo
People love to try and be different when it comes to talking boutiques. Anyways, go with Lazard. As some have pointed out, it really is the obvious choice...
One thing people haven’t touched on is they tend to focus on somewhat different areas. Moelis rips tons of sponsor sellsides. Lazard I see more often advising corporates. Obviously both do both, but it’s sort of a tilt. There are pros and cons to each model. Especially if you want to exit to PE there’s value in having a bunch of sponsor to sponsor processes under your belt. On the other hand the experience you get on strategic/public M&A is still valuable, just comes in more flavors and you’ll probably have fewer closed deals on your CV, but the ones you do have might be more “interesting” or unusual. Source: I worked at one of their competitors that falls more in the latter camp and now on the buyside interact with both frequently in a coverage capacity. Best of luck.
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