Top BB Capital Markets vs Bottom BB Coverage

Currently have SA offers from a capital markets-focused group at a top BB (GS/MS/JPM) as well as a direct coverage group offer at a lower BB (DB/UBS/JEF). Does anyone have any opinions on which offer is better (name vs role), and can anyone also provide any insight to how internal mobility from Capital Markets to coverage is at top BBs?

 
Most Helpful

If you want IB, go do IB. If you want capital markets, go to capital markets. Don’t start off a year behind just to get a better name on your resume. If you’re going to exit the finance industry after 1 or 2 years take the brand name. I work in capital markets and you don’t get any exposure to anything technical.

Most places require 1 year before allowing internal mobility.  It’s going to be easier to lateral from DB IB to GS IB than from GS ecm/dcm to GS IB.

 

I actually disagree with this, GS has a strong internal mobility. Know several people in my intern class who switched from non-classic IBD to Classic IBD for FT or after two years it is very easy to switch groups as well. GS loves to keep people within GS.

But as a whole if your goal is 2 years of IBD and then PE I would go with the “lower tier” IBD offer.

 

It depends on a few factors such as which bank, which group, what your goals are. For example, lev fin at jpm is arguably more cap markets focus but an amazing group. Jeffries has great groups. With that said though, if you take the cap markets group you could maybeee try and switch groups after your SA but most likely your group will want you to do ≈2 years with the group before allowing you to switch unless there is an opening elsewhere and you get lucky.

 

Was in same position, take the banking job. Capital markets is not banking, and you'll realize that asap. Also, 1 year at any bottom bb will allow you to move to top BB/EB easily (lateraling is a non-issue right now, analysts needed). Seriously, don't overthink, do banking

Additionally, I have a friend at GS capital markets (financing) and he said it's a bit more difficult to move, takes 2 years. That is a very very long time when you think about it. This is an easy decision imo

 

Got it. Do you see the lateral market staying this hot over the next few years?

 

To provide more clarity I see lateral markets being hot for maybe 6 more months (some office mandates, maybe some WFH again) then at that point I see it being a crap shoot, raised salaries made a lot of people a lot happier.  I think it will cool off to normal levels in the next 1-2 years.  

If your a prospect today,  I would fully expect a normal market after your SA stint, which I assume is next summer,  and would pick your offer based on the team that interest you more, not your ability to lateral.  If you don't know,  you probably will have the opportunity to lateral down the line,  Just know I think it will be harder in the future than it is today. But honestly from any of the names above you will have a good shot at exits or lateralling.  

If you want more data on exits: this post has been floating around this week. https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/the-magna-carta-of-pe-exits

 

Voluptas ea libero non in error quas eligendi. Reprehenderit porro unde quo. Ducimus voluptas molestias pariatur veritatis fuga ipsum. Omnis et sit ea aperiam sequi. Pariatur in quia quam sapiente iure nemo.

Libero autem fuga in eum fugiat. Et veritatis in culpa et. Numquam necessitatibus ipsum qui ipsam minus dolore. Ea odit magnam provident sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”