UBS vs Barclays

Question

I have recently been given opportunities to work in IB for both firms. I wanted to see if anyone has any advice on how to approach this decision.

boutiquebank4life · Accepted Answer

Blago99This topic has been discussed many times over. Its hard to give a definite answer but if everything else is equal, I think the general consensus ranking of the BBs would be:

Tier 1: GS/MS
Tier 2: JPM
Tier 3: Citi / BAML / Barclays / CS
Tier 4: DB
Tier 5: UBS / WF

Specifically for your situation, choose Barclays because of better dealflow.

This is correct. Some may argue DB is down there with Tier 5 as well due to their poor exit ops (many seem to stay associate or 3rd year due to bad exits). Also, MS is no longer above JPM and some have even told me MS is no longer "tier 1".

TRJamesGatz · Answer

Can't emphasize enough how important this part about execution is. Barclays basically discontinued taking new people into its M&A group a few years back and renamed the group to "exclusive sales" (I think that's what it's called) - basically mega deals that they are in a lead advisory position on.

Blago99 · Answer

This topic has been discussed many times over. Its hard to give a definite answer but if everything else is equal, I think the general consensus ranking of the BBs would be:

Tier 1: GS/MS
Tier 2: JPM
Tier 3: Citi / BAML / Barclays / CS
Tier 4: DB
Tier 5: UBS / WF

Specifically for your situation, choose Barclays because of better dealflow.

boutiquebank4life · Answer

go big or go homeAre the tiers ordered too? ie: are you saying in Tier 2 Citi > BAML > BarCap > CS?

No, I didn't rank by tiers. BAML is probably better than Citi and I think MS is still better than JPM at least for M&A. Citi would actually be the weakest of the tier 2, even though I quoted the previous poster who put it first I think due to alphabetical order. Just arrange the tiers in alphabetical order and go with whichever group and culture you like best. If you really want to be cynical it'd probably be GS in its own tier.

This also depends on group.

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UBS vs Barclays

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UBS vs Barclays

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