Regional Boutique vs MM IB for FT 2025

Hey guys, just received offers from both for full-time and am struggling to decide which one to pick. The regional boutique focuses exclusively on sell-side M&A and is a really small shop with a solid overall culture. The MM on the other hand is a large balance sheet bank and it seems like analysts focus more on capital markets than M&A. My ultimate goal is PE for context.

Pay: The MM pays better; same base salary for both but higher bonus for the MM

Location: The MM is in my most preferred location while I would have to move across the country for the regional boutique

Exits: This is where I'm torn. The MM is a more well known name but the experience I'd get at the regional boutique seems better (exclusively M&A as opposed to a ton of ECM/DCM work). Not sure which would yield better exits though.

Would appreciate any thoughts/comments from people below. I know how lucky I am to be in this situation (especially in this market) but don't want to make the wrong decision. Thanks in advance!

4 Comments
 

Lateral market might be improving. Could do a year at MM, then try for a coverage group at BB. Probably depends on ur alumni connections.

Also look around on LinkedIn to see where people have exited to

 

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