4 Comments
 

Very bank dependent. some FSG are know for elitism and nepotism (very hard to get into). And Barclays doesn't have M&A while their FSG in LA does great.

Generally M&A is better for broader buy-side exits while FSG often guarantee you a PE offer (more likely MM PE). Anecdotally, FSG is also the best for IB associates looking for PE.  

 
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It's definitely case by case for every bank and I wouldn't really view it as a comparison between FSG vs M&A unless those are your two best groups at the bank. For some banks, the best group for PE exits is an industry group. If your options are either FSG or M&A, then it will likely depend on who holds the model. At my bank, M&A holds the model and it wouldn't really be a question between FSG and M&A. The LevFin team can be another strong group choice for PE, although your skillset could be a little too narrow versus M&A where you will probably get the most broad exposure to PE exits.

Without context on the bank I can't really tell you how the experience and skillset will differ. For my bank, FSG focuses more on managing the client and the relationships while M&A does the technical work. If your bank is similar then I would recommend M&A. Having close communication with the PE sponsors is interesting but I don't think it'll make as much of a difference as actually getting the technical skillset down.

 

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