Offer Decision: Baird vs. Houlihan Lokey (Chicago)

Which one would you choose between the two banks? Trying to make the decision based on exit ops to NYC.

Also, I know that compensation has bumped to be closer to street but if anyone has actual numbers that'd be helpful.

Thanks!

19 Comments
 

Just out of curiosity, if this is for full time, how are these offers still outstanding? I thought decisions had to be made before Christmas time haha

"My name's Ralph Cox, and I'm from where ever's not gonna get me hit"
 

HL industrials in Chicago is quite possibly the sweatiest group in the entire city, MBA grad friend of mine went in as an associate, made it one year, closed nothing, quit straight up, no pending offer anywhere else. Said they stretched him to the brink. I’m not an M&A/verticals guy, so take what I’m saying w/ a grain or two, but to pitch and pitch and pitch like that, never close, and also be abused, seems like a lot. Baird’s consumer group has a good reputation, I think better than HL’s industrials. Oh and last point, he tried to lateral into their RX group and his VP blocked him. GL

 
Most Helpful

Ipsum voluptatem est cupiditate voluptatem molestias corporis. Recusandae omnis a reiciendis exercitationem consequatur. Aut quis dolor qui sequi consequatur autem. Aut sit sint quam omnis saepe sint.

Aspernatur molestias nisi ducimus. Corrupti magnam consequatur ea vero sunt. Hic quasi ut fugit animi voluptatem iste labore consequuntur. Autem sit rerum vel consequuntur. Sunt repellendus doloremque qui et.

Cum perferendis rerum fugit itaque quisquam illum voluptatem. Dolor est dolorem explicabo in harum. Minus qui laudantium totam voluptatem impedit. Quibusdam voluptas adipisci expedita omnis ipsum. Voluptatum voluptatum velit ipsa eaque molestiae debitis rerum.

Laboriosam ea eaque iste praesentium in aut. Non animi sunt quo corrupti ut. Aut maxime rerum aut error voluptas. Et porro nostrum porro praesentium adipisci quo. Qui quae sint magnam possimus quae consectetur. Atque amet animi quia neque eos est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”