Seattle Finance Scene

What is the finance scene like out in Seattle? Are there many opportunities on the buyside or in banks? Seattle seems like an amazing place and has a lot of tech, but how is it for finance? Is it true that SF or LA are the only cities with much finance on the West Coast? Thanks

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Russell Investments has the biggest overall presence, decent sized asset manager. Parametric too (owned by Eaton Vance I think).

As far as IB, Cascadia will be your best bet, though some BBs (notably Goldman) are starting to build out a small team there (still very small). A few small boutiques like Alexander Hutton and Meridian. There's one in Tacoma too I think JD Merrit. All quite small.

I don't have intimate knowledge of the VC/PE scene but know the names of a handful--really don't have good intel on size and scope: Frazier Healthcare Partners, ARCH Venture Partners, Pike Street Capital, Blue Point Capital, Madrona something.

You're right that one would expect more there, but I think it's basically SF light, and the banking and finance presence swelled in the bay area and they can cover Seattle easily from there.

 

Do you know if Goldman is the only BB in Seattle? It looks like JP Morgan is there, but only a private bank.

 

I'd strongly recommend against pursuing a career in finance in Seattle. There are so few prominent firms, and of those firms, they are very difficult to get into (usually through connections). Come to Seattle for tech, and only tech. I made the mistake of trying to do the whole finance thing in Seattle for a few years, and wish that I could redo those years in LA or SF (or NYC even).

 

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