Currently in a sweaty coverage group at a BB (MS/JPM). Fortunate to be getting lots of M&A deal experience as a first year MBA associate, but feel that I am not getting enough modeling experience since M&A holds pen on the model. Should I try to lateral to an EB to get better experience + pay?
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, lateraling from a BB to an EB can be a strategic move, especially if your goal is to gain more hands-on modeling experience and exposure to high-quality deals. EBs are often praised for their leaner deal teams, which provide associates with more responsibility and technical involvement, particularly in M&A. Additionally, EBs tend to offer higher compensation, with a larger percentage in cash, compared to BBs.
However, there are trade-offs to consider:
If you feel strongly about improving your technical skills and are willing to handle the potential increase in workload, lateraling to an EB could be a smart move. On the other hand, if you're already getting solid deal exposure and have a clear path to your long-term goals, staying at your BB might be the better choice.
Sources: Why would any associate+ banker choose a BB over EB?, Analyst Lateral from MM to BB/EB, Lateral from MM to EB/BB, please help Lateral Analyst - Should I take this offer? (MM>EB), https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/qa-md-in-ma-and-capital-markets-with-bulge-bracket-and-boutique-experience?customgpt=1
You’re an MBA associate. What do you need modeling experience for?
It’s valuable to analysts looking to exit to PE or Hedge Funds. But at the associate level (unless you went A2A are still looking to pivot quickly into tangential field requiring modeling) it’s not really necessary to have.
Coverage allows you as a presumably career banker, to hold the relationship. And ultimately earn more than the product monkeys in the long run.
Source - a product monkey
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