TD Securities in 2025?

Read a lot of post here on how good their culture is or their shitting diversity hirings. Wonder what is it actually like to work at TD in terms of deal flow after cowen merger and their reputation on the street?

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Based on the most helpful WSO content, TD Securities has been actively working to expand its presence, particularly in the U.S., with notable moves like the acquisition of Cowen. This acquisition was seen as a strategic step to bolster their investment banking exposure in the U.S., especially in areas like M&A and ECM. Cowen was recognized as a solid middle-market player, and this merger likely enhanced TD's deal flow and capabilities in these segments. However, some users have pointed out that TD might need to pursue additional acquisitions to maintain growth momentum and compete with larger players.

In terms of culture, TD Securities is often praised for its supportive work environment, particularly in its Canadian offices. Juniors have reported better work-life balance compared to other banks, with fewer instances of toxic behavior like yelling or swearing. The Toronto office, in particular, is highlighted for its considerate approach to junior work-life balance, with average hours being slightly better than the industry norm. The New York office seems to echo similar sentiments, though the experience can vary depending on the group and deal activity.

As for reputation, TD is consistently ranked as a top bank in Canada, second only to RBC Capital Markets. While it is not yet a major player in the U.S., the Cowen acquisition and other growth initiatives are steps in the right direction. However, some users have expressed skepticism about whether TD can achieve significant U.S. market penetration without larger, transformational acquisitions.

In summary, TD Securities offers a strong culture, particularly in Canada, and is making strides in the U.S. market. The Cowen merger has likely improved their deal flow and reputation, but they still face challenges in becoming a dominant player on the global stage.

Sources: TD Securities Culture??!, TD Acquires Cowen, TD Securities IB 2020, TD Possible Takeover of Cowen, Make or Break the Economy | The Daily Peel | 3/22/23

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US office commentary, ChatGPT filter:

Pros:

  1. Strong Compensation for Work-Life Balance – The pay is excellent considering the hours worked. On a per-hour basis, it's likely higher than most top investment banks (BB) and private equity (PE) firms. The total compensation at the associate level (~$400K) for a 60-70 hour workweek is tough to beat.
  2. Generally a Pleasant Work Environment – Colleagues are typically respectful, and even if someone dislikes you, they won’t say it outright. No blatant hostility, discrimination, or toxic behavior—people just channel their frustrations into performance reviews and bonus decisions.
  3. Decent Technical Foundation – The experience gained as an analyst provides a solid skillset, making it a reasonable launchpad for lateraling into a more competitive investment banking (IB) firm.
  4. Good Internal Mobility – Plenty of opportunities to move within the firm.

Cons:

  1. DEI and Promotion Policies Have Become Excessive – Recent changes in hiring and advancement have gone too far. No need for an in-depth explanation—just take a look at discussions in other threads.
  2. Nepotism is Widespread – One of the few banks where both diversity hiring initiatives and blatant nepotism are rampant at the same time.
  3. Lots of Work, Few Closed Deals – Many groups are consistently busy but struggle to close M&A transactions. Capital markets and financing deals don’t count in the same way. If you land in the wrong group, you could be stuck working 90-hour weeks with little to show for it. This makes lateraling more difficult since having no announced deals on your resume is a red flag compared to other candidates. Open to debate on this, but it’s a real issue.
  4. Weak Exit Opportunities to Buy-Side Roles – Largely due to the issue above.
  5. Lackluster Career Development – Outside of a few standout groups, the overall development pipeline is weak. Inexperienced MDs lead to ineffective VPs, which then produces another generation of weak MDs. The cycle repeats itself.
  6. Significant Junior Layoffs in Recent Years – Poor post-merger management has hurt morale, and turnover has been unusually high. The firm is now rehiring in hopes of regaining lost deal flow.
  7. Highly Political Bonus Process – Payouts are inconsistent. Some revenue-generating teams end up with lower bonuses than groups that barely closed any deals, which makes little sense.

Final Thoughts:

It’s a solid place to begin a career, but not somewhere you'd want to stay long-term. The junior ranks include some sharp, likable people, which is a plus.

 
Funniest

the diversity complaints come from 1 dude and his 4 accounts after he got laid off from the toronto office and got blacklisted from canadian banks lmao 

 

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