All,
I received offers from a top MM shop (Baird, HL, HW) in a Tier 2 City (Denver, Charlotte, Minneapolis) and a lower MM (Piper, Lincoln, Stifel) in Chicago. I was just curious what everyone's thoughts were about what would be a better career option. I enjoy the people at the top shop, but am worried about lack of exit opps coming from a smaller city.
| +110 | UBS Accused of Favoring H-1B Workers While Cutting U.S.-Born Employees | 19 | 56m |
| +81 | Incompetent and annoying co-intern | 23 | 21h |
| +69 | Getting Laid in IB? | 28 | 3d |
| +66 | Intern keeps sleeping at work - what to tell them | 28 | 1d |
| +55 | Living in greenwich as an analyst? | 12 | 20h |
| +42 | NYC Associate Budget | 14 | 1d |
| +36 | Nauseous every morning for past 3 years in IB, anyone else? | 21 | 1d |
| +36 | Quick Thoughts on CVC AI Sale Process | 7 | 1d |
| +31 | PJT M&A Group Selection 2026 | 4 | 5h |
| +29 | Going out / social schedule as AN1 | 14 | 3d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
imo, city/location can make a difference but you ultimately make or break the situation. Denver, Charlotte, and Minneapolis are still great cities, but I would say that networking your way into other firms may be easier in a larger city. You could also look into how easy relocation is at the top shop and go about it that way (hang out your shingle then jump to a larger city). I'm not too familiar with MM firms, but I would consider brand as well. I think this distinction is a little easier to make when looking at BB vs MM firms, but just something to keep in mind.
Just take HL in Minneapolis
Group fit and deal flow should be paramount in decision.
As someone who had strong experience from a MM just outside a Tier 1 city, I am always curious as to perception of MM banks.
Anyway, if your experience is strong and you knock out the role during your tenure in IB, you should not have much trouble in terms of exit ops. While it is more advantageous to be in major metropolitan, there are plenty of people who have exit to strong funds or corporate roles from other cities.
>Chicago >Tier 1 City
Pick one
Regional office guys mad huh
lmfaoo OP even changed it to say tier 2
Fyi none of those are LMM. LMM is Capstone, AGC, and Tobin & Co. shops
I think he means lower-tier MM, not lower middle market. Either way, I would consider Piper to be at least on the same tier as HW overall and quite competitive with Baird/HL on a group basis...
Raymond also competes with Piper.
I know you're kidding by including Tobin but I must say that Capstone and AGC are lightyears better than Tobin.
Nah, you don’t understand the tobinite dealflow
I would say that Piper isn't lower MM. It is a pretty middle of the road MM shop. However, if you're talking Chicago, I tend to believe you have Lincoln.
In all seriousness, if the location is super important to you, go with Chicago. If not, go with the better bank. I think that should really sum it up. The good will need to outweigh the bad.
Beatae ea beatae sed et laudantium qui. Itaque doloremque non voluptate qui dolor iure illo.
Labore autem veritatis rerum nemo fugit illum. Consequatur distinctio earum consectetur et dolorem. Nulla qui ea sint.
Qui et hic veniam soluta numquam corporis voluptates optio. Sed repellat cupiditate molestias harum. Distinctio nostrum et ratione est quasi libero quod. Ea ut molestias doloremque nesciunt consequatur.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...