Top Banks in LA?

Does anyone have any insight into the top investment banks in Los Angeles?

Some of the offices that come to mind: - GS LA - MS LA - UBS LA (ex-Moelis) - Moelis LA - CS LA - Lazard LA - BAS/ML

GS and MS are tops in most other regions, but are their LA offices also at the top? (in terms of exit opps and deal flow)

Really appreciate the insight. Thanks.

11 Comments
 

Citi-Small office, like 25 people, but with an old very respected rainmaker, some short hispanic? guy.

UBS/CS-Power houses of LA IB, both have or had 40 to 50+ people.

HLHZ/Moelis-Strong shops, not really sure about size. As to HLHZ's exit opps, I'll try and find their presentation but I remember them placing well, one of the guys who presented was leaving for Oak tree PE in LA pretty soon.

GS LA-Heard during recruiting season people where going in for like 4 hours a day and there was rumors the satellite office was going to be closed, but my friend landed a summer internship there and as far as I know they're still going.

What was ML/BAC-pretty large office, kinda known as collegiate and social

MS-not really sure

Jeffries LA-worthy of a shot out

 
Best Response

I can tell you without a doubt the Moelis is definitely the best in LA, with UBS and CS probably coming in 2nd. UBS LA was one of the best "groups" on Wall Street before Kenny left and he carried that prestige with him to Moelis. UBS office is still strong, albeit somewhat weaker without Moelis around and I know CS was historically considered to have the 2nd best LA office.

 

where do GS and MS rank? I know that GS has a sizable FIG group and MS has an M&A group out there.

and given that Moelis is barely a few years old... is it really already above all of the established players?

 

Lab, I am from NY (although no longer at UBS) but was close friends with several analysts in LA. The PE recruiting for UBS LA has been significantly stronger that what I hear from the old analysts in my group (product group). That being said, Moelis LA was recruited far and away the best of any shop out there.

 

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