The definitive, no cap fr fr way to assess Houston banks
I see these threads pop up and here's what I would strongly recommend:
1. Go on Dealogic or whatever you use and check deal volume for yourself
2. Set up some informational coffee chats with people at those banks and make your own determination as to culture
Going to be intentionally vague but I was at a European BB that no longer has a a Houston presence. You can guess which one. Some of the information on these threads has gotten stale. Yes it's true that Jefferies is known for being sweaty, I have friends who are there and they said it's lived up to the reputation, but they also have said positives like lots of experience on deals. JPM I have no idea if the negative cultural comments are still valid just since I don't know anyone there in Houston.
The reason why I bring this up is it's starting to seem like there's just this oral tradition on the forum where someone says a culture is good/bad because someone 2 years ago said it was good/bad, who probably heard it from someone else on the forum. This isn't going to be helpful. Not saying this to be a dick but the only way to really get an assessment on culture is to meet some of the people at the bank and make your determination. People switch firms and organizations change accordingly. Likewise for deal flow, we don't need to ask random bored college juniors on here to "rank" the banks when we can objectively just look on Dealogic to see their deal flow.
And if you do find something original, please share it with us here so we can pass on some updated info.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a practical approach to assess Houston banks for exit opportunities and internal culture:
Utilize Financial Data Platforms: Access platforms like Dealogic to independently verify the deal volume of banks in Houston. This provides a quantitative measure of a bank's activity and prominence in the market.
Engage in Informational Interviews: Schedule coffee chats or informational interviews with current employees at these banks. This direct interaction allows you to gauge the culture and work environment from those who experience it daily.
It's important to note that relying solely on forum anecdotes can lead to outdated or second-hand information. The culture and dynamics within banks can evolve, so firsthand experiences are invaluable. If you gather any fresh insights or data, sharing it on platforms like WSO can help keep the community informed and up-to-date.
Sources: Best Houston Banks for Exit Opps?, Houston Investment Banking 2019, Cuts Across Banks in Houston, TPH vs. Simmons - Houston IB, Evaluating Commercial Banks (part 1 of ??)
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