Should I sign UBS SA 2021?

Got an offer from UBS today as a complete non-target that networked my way in. I reached out to a few mentors and they told me not to take the offer, that UBS is dying, the people there are unintelligent, poor dealflow etc. Even an analyst at UBS told me that the bank doesn't have a strong future in investment banking, which is obviously what I want to do. Should I take the offer now, or wait for some MM/BB that go later in the process? Obviously if I went to a target I would turn down the offer, but as a non-target I may not get other chances. If I go to UBS will I be able to recruit for other banks FT, or will my resume simply be too tainted by the name?

40 Comments
 

If it’s an exploding offer and you don’t have anything else on the table, then take it. UBS is a well-respected bank and worst case scenario you could always continue recruiting, but I would advise against that.

Also you could also try to re-recruit after your SA to a better bank if you really want. Who knows maybe the job market will be better and there will be more opportunities by then.

 

RX would be weak, especially because they are a BB. Mainly focused on capital allocation

 
"sljdkflksdj" If I go to UBS will I be able to recruit for other banks FT, or will my resume simply be too tainted by the name?

OMFG, this is why WSO should be more respectful and stop shitting on banks (other than those who truly deserve it like Tobin & Co.)

 

How were the interviews? Did you feel like your behaviorals and technicals are at a decent level? You still have like 1 - 1.5 months before several BBs open their apps. I would skip the UBS offer and just replicate your networking etc. at more reputable banks. If an analyst at UBS told you not to take UBS then I think that's a huge red flag.

 

My opinion is OP really shouldn't sign a place where even analysts are talking it down. It's clear OP isn't confident / content / happy... just read between the lines of the post. It's still May so many banks haven't even opened apps yet.

Explain to us why OP shouldn't listen to me (I am genuinely curious what is the argument for signing somewhere OP clearly isn't happy with when there are still so many opportunities left this summer.)

 
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Because at the end of the day UBS is still a BB and has some solid groups. Doing IB at UBS is still pretty fucking good. Not everyone has to end up at GS TMT. Why should op gamble a sure thing? Op is a non target and we tend to get shit on a lot during recruiting. It is dumb to gamble an offer at hand when you have nothing else in the pipeline. It is dumb to gamble a sure thing for a possibility.

Op can take UBS, kill it on his internship, continue networking, and then lateral to a better place. Or op can decline the offer and possibly end up with no offer from other bbs/ebs.

 

If what you said is true, and people currently working at UBS basically shit on their own bank, then if I were you, I would take the offer and keep on recruiting for better banks. It doesn't sound like they'd give 2 shits if you reneged.

"Markets can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent."
 

Take the offer. You'll feel really dumb in August/September if you don't have an offer from a 'better' bank and you turned down UBS. They are still a massive and reputable bank- you could absolutely do an SA there and land at a better BB full time, or even start as an analyst at UBS and lateral to a better bank. While it sounds like it would be impossible from reading this forum, there are analysts from UBS that get decent exit ops.

 

You’re a non-target, take it. Unless you’re positive you can land something better but I doubt that’s the case (not doubting you, but the numbers are not in anyone’s favor, especially from non-target). Yes, UBS is scaling back IB but you’ll likely be there for only 2 years. They still have strong groups (TMT, ECM/DCM) and you can always lateral elsewhere if you do want IB long term. If you want to go buy side, you can likely land MM

 

Nontargets don’t place regularly to BBs even the lower ones, definitely take it. Curious how you already got an offer though apps just opened up 2 days ago, talked to people at the firm and they said interviews are in late summer

 

Was in a similar position recently, but I ended up accepting my BB SA offer. This is how I went about deciding:

  1. Can you extend the offer deadline? If so, do that and try to continue interviewing at other places.

  2. Can you utilize your network to accelerate interviews at other places before the offer explodes? If so, do that and see if you get a better offer. Note, there is a slim chance for this, especially at this stage.

  3. Do you like the culture at UBS? If looking at only culture/fit, where would UBS rank on your list? Remember, you want to be in the best environment for YOU, not the kids on WSO.

  4. Would you be interested in the top groups at UBS? Do you think you can get placed into one of the top groups there? In the end, UBS is the worst BB, but it's still a BB. Not very strong and the outlook is bad, but the reputation is still closer to the top than the bottom for IB, PE exits are possible, and you will get paid very well.

You can always lateral from UBS for FT. Even if that doesn't work out, you can always lateral after 1 year as an analyst.

 

Congrats man, banking is a top 1% out of college job and as others have echoed you should be proud of yourself.

WSO can definitely be a dick measuring contest which really takes a toll on those who get offers from banks who college kids on this site shit on for arbitrary reasons. I am sure your process was still quite challenging and I think that regardless of the outcome (others have made some good suggestions that I need not repeat) you should be proud and confident in yourself for landing an offer, especially from a non-target.

 

Safe choice: sign UBS offer as it is still a BB and have read in this thread and others that they have solid groups

Risky choice: pass on UBS and keep recruiting and networking with other banks the same way you did with UBS

SUPER risky choice: sign UBS offer and keep recruiting for other banks then renege UBS offer if you get better offer elsewhere

I personally would go with the safe choice as I'm risk averse and from a non-target as well.

 

UBS is the most lenient BB/MM when it comes to GPA/academics, I would not gamble at this point. If your low GPA isn't a representation of who you are, you will be able to outshine most at UBS.

 

Honestly UBS is a good bank, it shouldnt even be thought of as not. its top 6/7 league tables right? and theyre growing right? I could be wrong but seems like they arent deserving of their reputation especially in TMT

path less traveled
 

They’re having a good year but they’ve been awful in recent years. Last year they weren’t even in the US top 30

 

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