What are the disadvantages of working at a smaller bank?

What are the downsides of working at a smaller bank? I worked at a smaller bank this summer - does very well in the rankings but not really a household name.

From my perspective:

Pros:

  • More exposure
  • Better culture
  • Fast growing
  • Better hours

Cons:

  • Not as much of a flex (doesn’t really bother me tbh)
  • Worse exit ops
  • Smaller deals, not so much in the press - less ‘cool’
  • Pay not as good at senior level (not sure if this is the case..?)

What do you guys reckon?

6 Comments
 

Pay may or may not be larger. Generally, pay will be less since bankers are paid as a percentage of deal value (most of the time).

However, I've heard of MDs at middle market banks making more than MDs at global bulge bracket banks, simply because it was less competitive at the MM bank and they were able to bring in more deal flow.

If you need help lateraling, let me know. I lateraled from a 5-person boutique to a bulge bracket firm.

 

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