60 Comments
 

Wells Tech has a great culture but zero deal flow. Interns pitch all summer and aren’t staffed on any deals. It doesn’t get any better for analysts. Not sure how much better WF M&A is but it must be better than Tech.

 

If you're considering M&A at WF I would throw in RBC M&A as well. From what I've seen, probably the best group at any of the banks you mentioned as far as execution/pitching ratio. RBC tech is historically mediocre but I've heard they are on the upswing as of late (makes sense since the bank is as a whole).

 

Why does everyone keep brinigng up USA? They're a boutique bank in SF that is doing fine but they are the last resort of banks to go to if you don't get a name brand bnaking job. USA is way at the bottom of your list if you want me to rank. It's not even close.

Will update my computer soon and leave Incognito so I will disappear forever. How did I achieve Neanderthal by trolling? Some people are after me so need to close account for safety.
 

Nah man, USA tries too hard in their interview process so you think this way. You got played. Go with either WF, RBC or PJSC

Will update my computer soon and leave Incognito so I will disappear forever. How did I achieve Neanderthal by trolling? Some people are after me so need to close account for safety.
 

I have reformed my ways, grant. I am trying not to talk about FTP anymore. Please bare with me as I transition away from these talks. Thanks for your patience, young grant.

Will update my computer soon and leave Incognito so I will disappear forever. How did I achieve Neanderthal by trolling? Some people are after me so need to close account for safety.
 

Thanks for that info. That means you can recruit there and get an IB offer at least, and thenshop that offer at the other banks. Please ond't do this. This is a joke!

Will update my computer soon and leave Incognito so I will disappear forever. How did I achieve Neanderthal by trolling? Some people are after me so need to close account for safety.
 

I've pesronaly never heard of USA or Incentrum outside of WSO.

I've heard DBO was a solid shop but doesn't have the name recognition like other banks. Think Petsky Prunier, Canaccord Genuity, Cantor Fitzgerald, TPH, Sagent Advisors, Mesirow Financial, etc.

Will update my computer soon and leave Incognito so I will disappear forever. How did I achieve Neanderthal by trolling? Some people are after me so need to close account for safety.
 

I'm sure Morgan Stanley is giving me stuff because you all work at the banks I mentioend and are salty.

Will update my computer soon and leave Incognito so I will disappear forever. How did I achieve Neanderthal by trolling? Some people are after me so need to close account for safety.
 

I’m not really seeing the comparison here.

DBO is a generalist boutique based in SF, and Incentrum is a merchant bank based in NY. Not sure why you’d compare those two to USA, which is a tech boutique.

 

I work in the SF tech scene, so I can offer some color here.

USA's name recognition has improved, but I don't think anyone is impressed by the firm. USA strictly works on MM tech deals. They have a good culture, and exit opps are there. Overall a good shop, but the "wow-factor" is nonexistent.

I'd say DBO is much more prestigious (using your word here) than USA. DBO was founded by three reputable senior bankers from MS. Their roster is stacked with brilliant people from top to bottom. They work across industries, products, and transaction sizes. I work at an EB, and we often compete for deals with them.

Incentrum, from what I've heard, is another group of smart cookies. I can't speak too much about them, but I'm guessing they're also ahead of USA in terms of prestige and reputation. They have an investment arm, which is always interesting.

 

PJSC is pretty fratty but if you like that, you will love their culture so much. RBC has pretty nice people across the board as well.

Will update my computer soon and leave Incognito so I will disappear forever. How did I achieve Neanderthal by trolling? Some people are after me so need to close account for safety.
 
Most Helpful

I’m very sorry for you that you’ve been a victim of Richard completely hijacking yet another thread with low-EQ conjectures

To address the question, if you’re not sure what you want and you can finesse a top RBC group in NYC, that might be the best place to start for somebody who’s unsure. I’d pick pretty much anything at RBC over anything at Wells, as (at least when I recruited) Wells could throw you in syndicated loans in Charlotte.

If you somewhat lean toward tech, I’d say USA easily trumps either of those two (not to mention comp will be higher). Obviously if you’re not interested in tech, no point silo’ing yourself at a tech boutique

Heard good things all around about PJSC. Would probably rank equal in my preference list with RBC.

I don’t know too much about Keybanc other than that their healthcare subsidiary, Cain Brothers, is pretty decent in SF. I don’t know the details of your Keybanc offer, but it can be hit or miss. I would personally probably eliminate this one within the context of my own ambitions, but Keybanc and all the rest of your offers are still great offers to have for an internship. RBC/PJSC for general career launchpad, USA for tech career IMO

 

all trolling aside, I really don't know if you want to just plug USA so much competing against WF or RBC. WF and RBC are BBs (or at least getting there) with solid brand names and the ability to transfer to other getter group if he / she doesn't want tech. USA is a MM firm like others have said that is ultimately more of a boutique. As much as I don't want to bring it up, they are literally in the same boat as FTP if not worse, because at least FTP does well in its niche whereas USA can't even compete against a decent tech bank for good deals.

Sorry, you made me unleash the non-troll part of me because of this silly post.

Will update my computer soon and leave Incognito so I will disappear forever. How did I achieve Neanderthal by trolling? Some people are after me so need to close account for safety.
 

Are any of the other firms not MM offers? He’s only dealing with MM offers. I responded to all 5 of his banks, there’s no point strangely focusing on USA and random unwarranted comparisons that aren’t relevant to this thread. Also checking their website, they just did a deal in the billions, so definitely equally (if not higher up) in the MM space than these other offers. We are only comparing these 5 firms and they’re all MM

 
Controversial

This is pretty cut and dry as far as the "ranking" ridiculousness goes on here...

RBC (significant drop off)

WF (assuming not getting screwed by their placement process and landing in loan syndication in Charlotte under "IBD" look into this. Lots of posts on Well's strange placement process) (an even larger drop off)

USA or PJ Solomon (either you are set on Tech or not, nice generalist program at PJ Solomon though no doubt)

Keybank

 

Et sapiente sunt itaque. Eius quod officiis ut. Enim quos eos nulla voluptate. Eligendi incidunt exercitationem repellendus odio temporibus. Tempore et rerum excepturi architecto labore.

 

Nostrum qui quo necessitatibus sint nam sed deleniti. Fugit omnis autem quidem commodi. Et possimus sint rerum cum ut soluta nesciunt. Minus nihil incidunt provident ratione fugiat tenetur.

Libero dolore ipsum rerum rerum neque molestiae vel. Voluptates impedit non at dolorem aut. Assumenda excepturi eum placeat ab sapiente. Sit et blanditiis rerum eos consequuntur. Rerum ex repudiandae architecto iure. Quia veniam sed perspiciatis id aut molestias ipsum magnam.

Dolore beatae in quam rerum maiores totam eveniet. Consectetur ipsa laboriosam odio numquam et id. Illum error earum aliquam dolorum consectetur. Atque non aliquid dignissimos molestiae nemo officia. Eos aut est et praesentium aut accusantium. Omnis quia accusamus in impedit et accusantium.

Fuga placeat unde tempore voluptatem fugit. Aut ex minima ratione officiis nihil qui. Aut impedit earum ut molestiae corporis id.

Array

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”