UBS or Ardea Partners SA 2023?
SA offers at both firms, enjoyed people I spoke to at both
Really conflicted about which to choose. Comp at Ardea is great, unsure about comp at UBS yet
Would appreciate any insights/ opinions. Both NYC
Update:
Comp at UBS is good, pretty comparable to Ardea depending on hours
I know someone who turned down another BB for a SA spot at Ardea, and they had a fantastic experience. Said the comp was insanely good too.
In similar boat with a mid BB, would love to hear more insights!
What are your considerations?
If you're looking specifically at FIG, they're not exactly in the same tier. Ardea is probably half the size and is on 2-3x the number of recognizable transactions and with more meaningful roles in each of the transactions.
How would they stack up against a mid sized BB like CS/Barclays?
i'm not particularly tied to FIG --> i like it as much as any sector group but don't have a particular passion for it
i'm more concerned about culture, perception, and exits-- also comp, but at least at the SA level the comp is p similar
For perception/reputation: Ardea wins by a mile. If you want to lateral after your summer, it will be much easier coming from Ardea
Exits: not sure, UBS has better name recognition for those outside the industry
Culture: No first hand experience, but would expect culture at Ardea to be pretty similar to Goldman FIG. Great experience, but not for everyone...
Comp: Ardea by a mile
Do you enjoy FIG and see yourself in the vertical long term? Then Ardea. Otherwise, UBS by far.
thank you for the insight
i'm just curious, what makes you favor UBS so strongly?
Much better rounded overall. You'll still get looks at MF and UMM firms at UBS, despite the hordes of interns shitting on the bank here. Unless you know you want FIG, I'd take the chance of getting into a group you actually want at UBS.
i would do both, because why not!
great insight!
Personal humble opinion: I'd try to keep as many doors open as possible while I'm young, so I'd take UBS unless you don't click with the people there. Ardea's dealflow is almost 100% FIG so I'd accept their offer only if you're seriously determined to specialise in it from the beginning. If you're really into FIG you can move to a specialized boutique in the future whereas the opposite is not equally easy.
EDIT: I would not consider comp in the equation at this point in your career
B
Ardea is building up its tech and CR team and the selection is fairly selective. Everyone I met during the process is extremely talented yet humble without ego. Comparing to some BB privileged folks, I enjoy the ppl at Ardea better. No pitches and all live transactions - the partner said they had to say no to many clients because the demand is so high. UBS on the other hand is just a normal shop with normal bankers. Not that they aren’t good but just normal ppl with a minted mindset (not trying to win, status quo, not go extra mile). So at the end, choose what drives you.
You’d have to be the most gullible person in the world to believe any bank doesn’t ever pitch, no matter how great the relationships.
this is ESPECIALLY true if you’re budding out a new practice.
Have worked with clients who have said that Ardea called them every single week trying to find a role for themselves on a transaction. Who do you think does the materials for those conversations?
Absolutely believe that they’ve turned down business. Everyone does, but those aren’t exactly the mandates they’re fighting to get
You can also bet that as their current VPs start to position themselves for MD promotions, the amount of pitching done will skyrocket. Ultimately, you have a limit to your upward trajectory if you don't bring in your own business and guess what that requires?
hey much time were you given for the UBS offer
2 wks
Are you aware whether Ardea accepts international students (on H1B Visa)?
No
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