UBS FIG Franchise vs. Morgan Stanley FIG Franchise

Where would you go if you had to choose between Morgan Stanley vs. UBS from FIG sector perspective in London.

This is just a thought as both these institutions appear to be the best in the league

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Best Response

I really rate the UBS FIG team in London, fantastic group of guys (though rejected offer from them!). That said, UBS as a name has been raped, and MS is still looking solid. In 08 UBS picked up all the interesting deals, and in London I would've said it was an easy choice. This year, who knows. Also, analysts in UBS FIG get worked like dogs too.

 
cityguy123How would you rate this bank from a Associate perspective ? Which would you go for ?

In London, UBS if joining straight at Associate. I assume this means you're in it for the long haul, and this puts you 3 years out from one of the premier FIG jobs in Europe. The team has been pretty much on Alistair Darling's speed-dial this year, and it'll be 3 years of hell (Associates pretty much do everything) but then you'll be earning the big bucks, doing the deals on the front of the FT, and the lifestyle will get better.

 

UBS FIG recently handled the $19.6bn capital raise for BoA to repay TARP and has consistently seen deal flow throughout the recession. Additionally, UBS recently poached several FIG bankers from MS including the new North American Head of Insurance. Solid franchise.

 

And by handled, do you mean was a QIU? Let's be honest, UBS would have had zero role if it didn't require a QIU and I'm assuming UBS was picked because BoA would NEVER choose another U.S. investment bank to serve in that role.

My guess is BoA's FIG group did a crapload of free work leading up to the transaction and UBS was brought in shortly before deal launch to act as QIU?

 

MS FIG is a sweatshop in London at analyst level but is strong. Not fully up on UBS but also hard working I think. Both have deals, depends what geography in EMEA you'd focus on...

 

Keep hearing similar things around re image being tarnished etc. etc. However, there are few things that my attention gets diverted too from a london perspective a) key roles in high profile transaction for e.g. RBSI role, Role with Government of UK on dozen of other things incl Lloyds b) Hiring a lot of people from other BB incl MS + the fact that lot of these people are actually joining as well c) Regarded as a culture of the highest order d) turning the corner with a profit in 4Q09

It is a bit confusing and difficult to choose between the MS FIG franchise and the UBS FIG franchise in London. The SG Warburg franchise gives UBS the edge i feel in London/European perspective

 

I guess a smart way of saying that is probably you should go for deal experience.

FT deal will act as your brand in the CV.

But at the end of the day, as someone previously mentioned. Its largely to do with what culture you fit in well. If you dont like the culture at MS / UBS you are going to throw up within months.

Spending > 14 hours of your waking up life really means that you need to like what you are doing.

Personally I would rather be working on a deal in XYZ than on a pitch in ABC

 

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