Scotiabank standings

I've got a degree of bias - but I'll give my two cents working there.

Legacy-wise, definitely not as strong as some of those names. RBC has been stronger in US IB for much longer, and I'd argue WB and HL are better M&A shops with a strong historic record. TD has a slight edge too, since they've been building out since Cowen. UBS is obviously a sinking ship so no breath there.

What I will say is there is a strong trajectory at the bank. They have poached a lot of talent from large shop, mainly BB, but they've been chugging along. Just launched some strong Tech and FIG teams, their LevFin team has been doing quite good I hear, and their legacy RE and Energy teams are still doing strong. It is nice because IB and Capital Markets is a focus point of the bank, and so they get a lot of attention from the top. The size of the banking division has over doubled I have heard over the past few years, and the growth seems to be driving results.

Also, I'll just say the culture there is pretty sweet. Most of the people are there by choice, and so they are excited and energized to be there. Know a lot of guys who could retire at this point or go to a better paltform but are trying to build something.

Obviously biased, so take how you will, but I think its a pretty good place to get in now at the start of your career. Its no JPM/Goldman/MS, but I think its a good platform.