Thoughts on MM shops in Canada (Canaccord, Stifel, etc...)

Not much information about them on here. Canaccord seems like they punch above their weight but wonder how they rank in comparison to other Canadian investment banks like Big 6 and other boutiques. What does comp, prestige, progression, exits, etc look like at MMs?

Region
10 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, Canaccord Genuity is one of the notable middle-market (MM) investment banks in Canada. While there isn't a direct comparison provided in the context between Canaccord and the Big 6 Canadian banks or other boutiques, there are some insights that can be shared:

  • Compensation: The context indicates that in September 2023, the average total compensation for various positions at investment banks, which could include MM shops like Canaccord, was as follows:

    • Director/MD: $592,000
    • Vice President: $392,000
    • Associate: $260,000
    • 3rd+ Year Analyst: $187,000
    • 2nd Year Analyst: $169,000
    • 1st Year Analyst: $168,000
    • Intern/Summer Associate: Data not provided in the context
  • Prestige: While the context does not provide a direct ranking of prestige, it's generally understood that the Big 6 banks in Canada might have more brand recognition due to their size and history. However, MM firms like Canaccord could be perceived as "punching above their weight," suggesting they are competitive and may have a strong presence in certain sectors or deal types.

  • Professional Growth: The context mentions professional growth opportunities rankings for investment banking firms, but does not specifically list Canaccord Genuity. However, firms that provide strong professional growth opportunities are likely to be attractive to candidates considering career progression.

  • Exit Opportunities: The context does not provide specific information on exit opportunities from MM shops like Canaccord. However, working at a reputable MM bank can offer solid exit opportunities, especially if the bank has a strong deal flow and a good track record in the market.

For more detailed information on Canaccord Genuity's ranking, compensation, and other specifics, it might be beneficial to look at the individual reports or threads on Wall Street Oasis that focus on MM banks in Canada.

Here is a question that you might be interested in and I can help you with: What are the professional growth opportunities like in investment banking in Canada?

Sources: Toronto - Boutique Investment Banking Compensation, What is Canada comp like?, US Banks With Satellite Offices in Canada, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/best-ib-groups-in-canada?customgpt=1, Canadian BBs in the US? Pay structure, Presitge?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Good shops IMO. Likely less brand-recognition than big 6 Banks, however, pay is generally in-line with street. Typically operate lean deal teams and are volume based banks, so become sweaty when equity markets are hot. You’ll find most of them at Ki trying to win Bought Deals during that week.

 

Don’t know much about what Stifel has closed closed the past year, and on top of that you can’t forget to mention the terrible way they issued bonuses. Canaccord arguable has one of the better mining teams on the street (volume wise) and in good years pay will be above B5. Others like Greenhill, Cormark, Raymond James, Infor, etc can’t speak too much on.

 
Most Helpful

Stifel is not good - entire thing fell apart once GMP was parcelled off to them. It’s a shame.

Canaccord does some interesting deals (eg Future Electronics sellside which was over $1B EV), but does the usual random BS in the smaller space (cannabis, junior mining, crypto). You won’t get the training you would at the banks, but you get paid and it can be a good experience, particularly for mining.

 

You can remove Greenhill out of that equation because they rarely recruit and the ones who get the jobs There are encouraged to recruit for other opportunities because growth within the company is limited - exits are amazing but this is another conversation.

I wouldn’t say that Stifel is trash, it’s just overrated. In the US it’s one of the bottom of the MM’s.

 

Ad consequatur consectetur recusandae libero. Quos ea sit ratione aut. Atque corrupti doloribus magnam eum nemo nihil. Quia deleniti perferendis perferendis et.

Libero ratione eveniet debitis quia iure. Porro quod delectus voluptatum nam. Eum impedit dolores laudantium odit.

Voluptatum sunt dolores est eius suscipit. Doloremque nemo similique beatae ipsa illum sed libero. Vel quod praesentium nihil at esse est. Quia dolor animi excepturi velit iusto cum.

Incidunt qui harum inventore a temporibus sit voluptas. Doloremque ea dolor sed id ipsum eveniet omnis. Voluptate explicabo beatae est incidunt et optio. Ducimus consequatur consectetur et voluptatibus autem qui. Quia aperiam similique rem repellendus hic est tenetur odit. Odit sequi ut tempora distinctio.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”