Morgan Stanley vs Barclays for Experienced Capital Markets Hire

Title says it all. I have lateral offers at both banks in NY within the same capital markets group (think Structured Products, ABS, ProjFin, etc.). Holding all else equal, which bank would you choose and why?

More on my high-level situation is below:

  • As1 who wants to stay in banking for ~1 more year
  • Pay is approximately the same at both banks
  • Given this is CM work, I think the "prestige" difference should be minimal
  • MS typically ranks slightly above Barc on the league tables, but overall quality of deals should be approximately the same
  • Culture at Barc is good, MS culture is ok
  • Barc runs a leaner team, MS is a slightly larger team
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