MS regional office vs Barclays London

Hi,

got offers to join MS in a regional office (Paris, Milan, Frankfurt) and Barclays in London. Barclays at a top group, MS is country coverage.

Aiming for a MF exit which are mainly in London.

Currently have a difficult time deciding which offer to take. Any thoughts are helpful!

9 Comments
 

To maximize your chances of a megafund (MF) exit, Barclays London in a top group would likely be the stronger choice. Here's why:

  1. Proximity to MFs: Most MFs are based in London, and being in the same city provides better networking opportunities and visibility for recruitment. Barclays London would position you closer to these opportunities.

  2. Group Strength: A top group at Barclays London can provide better deal flow, exposure to high-profile transactions, and a stronger reputation, all of which are critical for MF exits.

  3. MS Regional Office: While Morgan Stanley is a prestigious name, being in a regional office with a country coverage role may limit your exposure to the larger, more complex deals that MFs value. Additionally, regional offices may not have the same level of connectivity to London-based recruiters.

  4. Recruitment Dynamics: London-based roles often have a more direct pipeline to MFs compared to regional offices. Barclays' presence in London and its top group status could give you an edge in the competitive MF recruitment process.

If your ultimate goal is an MF exit in London, Barclays London in a top group seems like the more strategic choice. However, if you have a strong preference for the MS brand or the regional office location, that could also factor into your decision.

Sources: Choose Between Two Offers (BB/MBB) - Looking for Advice, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/ib-vs-consulting?customgpt=1, Need Advice: Citi/Barclays Offer vs. Recruiting for GS/MS/JPM, Non US/Europe IB/PE Overview, Technology IB Coverage Group - Exits, Interview Preparation, etc.

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I‘m not sure, as I could rotate to London after 1-2 years. Don’t know if this interferes with the general recruitment window

 

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