Thoughts on Wells NYC in 2025
I know there are a million threads on Wells, but curious to hear updated thoughts. Seeing a lot of movement from senior bankers joining, and a few of my friends' dads' coworkers (lol) have been leaving other firms for Wells.
That said, not sure how much senior hiring translates to analyst experience, deal flow, and exits. For context, I’m considering them against a mix of:
Foreign balance sheet banks (SMBC, BNP, etc.)
Struggling BBs (DB, UBS)
Boutiques (DBO, Broadhaven)
Would appreciate hearing how people are thinking about Wells vs. these options.
Curious about overall trajectory.
The big pros I am seeing at Wells are faster growth, good culture (by far nicest interviewers), and decent WLB for street level comp.
Would take wells over all of these besides UBS and possible DB
Would for sure take wells over UBS
as a junior or a senior banker? obviously the considerations change if you are trying to be a career banker
Wells is a great place to be at right now. Upward trajectory and growing shop with clear momentum in many different groups. In terms of the banks you specifically mentioned, DB and UBS still have the better name brand/exit opps, but if you are looking for a fantastic culture + the chance to potentially be a career banker, you can’t really go wrong with Wells.
Will be working for Wells ft and I'd take Wells over the foreign balance sheet banks and boutiques. Would take the lower tier BBs over Wells though.
I know there's a ton of optimism about wells and it seems like the bank is going to grow a ton in the coming years, but it's impossible for Wells to crack into BB status within the next 10 years unless they buy out a strong boutique or MM player like Jefferies. Banks don't become BBs overnight and the new senior hires will help, but they need time.
I'm super happy with where I am and believe that this is a great bank to build a career, but would prefer the exit ops and name brand of the lower tier BBs. At the end of the day, taking Wells over UBS and DB wouldn't be the worst decision in the world but I think the BBs have more to offer at the moment.
Del
Strength of the group def matters but I’d also think about if you’re actually interested in the industry. Niche groups like regal will largely pigeonhole your exits.
.
Would take wells over those other banks mentioned
intresting can you say a bit more about Wells vs UBS?
Headcount adjusted UBS has gotten worse each of the last three years and wells has improved.
Until UBS has a positive year, I would choose wells. UBS also likely to have a big shift in 2026 or 2027 when Marco might be pushed out (if things don’t turn around ASAP) and take the Barclays gang with him
Simply because the group I’m interested in is stronger at WF than the other banks
This discourse has been going on for the last 10 years or so, just look at some old threads. It’s always “on the rise” but worse than all the other BBs. Might be marginally better than UBS though given how the firm has been after the Credit Suisse fiasco. However the top middle markets like Jefferies are still better in my opinion. The firm just isn’t that well known for advisory and a lot of the deal flow just comes from the balance sheet and lending.
This. In 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 all the Wells employees were talking about how they will be the next BB soon. 15 years later and nothing has changed, if anything Wells' reputation and momentum has stalled. There is zero precedence for moving upwards with hires, outside of acquiring PJT, Wells is going to stay exactly where it is for the next 15 years as well.
From a buysider’s view, Wells’ FIG practice is top of street with a very strong flow of large sell-side mandates / unique strategic work.
No one is taking Wells over UBS/DB… unless you have an offer from a WF top group vs. worst group at UBS/DB
Know a few classmates at Wells NYC and passively met a few alum there. Not sure about hours / deal flow but the culture seems solid (some of their groups picked up momentum with some solid poaching of external MDs). Just beware you might not get your first choice group.
How do exit opps between Wells and DB/UBS compare (specifically PE and HF if the latter is even possible).
Also, would it be possible to use a Wells offer to accelerate any of the still open BBs?
Bump
both are possible from top groups (REGAL, FIG, LevFin, etc.)
Definitely Wells over the foreign balance sheet banks you listed. Wells would probably be a much better culture than the UBS and DB, but in terms of prestige and quality of experience, I still wouldn’t put them above those BBs generally speaking. Wells has a good platform, but they still rely on their balance sheet for a lot of their advisory mandates, which won’t be the case for a place like UBS (Even though they have a plethora of problems).
That’s just my 2 cents though and I’m not very familiar with the boutiques but would put Wells above them.
Maxime expedita doloremque eligendi et rerum pariatur. Qui consequatur sit fugit tempora. Ipsa voluptatibus blanditiis soluta cumque. Ut assumenda adipisci dolorem animi. Maxime non non laboriosam accusantium nisi error sit. Non tenetur autem aut quis nam nam.
Nihil ut et quidem quod eveniet aut eligendi. Illum ea et et. Ut labore libero consequatur.
Veniam repudiandae deleniti iure et. Fugiat error consequatur quisquam aut rerum. Minus hic consectetur quisquam velit inventore consequatur quia nobis.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Nihil vitae delectus deleniti. Voluptates odit magni enim nulla similique hic. Sunt explicabo vero optio enim minima rerum neque.
Sit esse asperiores impedit. Tempora reiciendis reprehenderit aut. Aut sapiente ut voluptas sed voluptas. Aliquid nulla ipsa omnis laboriosam alias dolorem. Nihil aut ipsam id sed quod odio. Quis amet repellendus accusamus et cupiditate harum dicta.
Magni est perferendis laudantium laudantium neque. Aliquid repudiandae nihil omnis iste ipsa quis.
Rerum fugit sed illum occaecati dignissimos repellat. Rem quia enim fuga est enim ut error. Accusantium enim explicabo voluptas quaerat neque.