what do i get when i start working? (UBS Related)

blackberry, laptop, gym bag, i'm sure UBS gives you a laptop bag too.

The thing is, you have to return all that stuff when you leave the firm, so if somebody wants to get you a cooler version of said goodies, I wouldn't necessarily classify the gift as redundant.

you definately get a laptop bag but it is the standard Dell one so not too pretty...although i dont think analysts brought their laptops home often

also get a crappy gymbag and of course the dreaded crackberry

is that the standard fare at all firms? (cs, Citi, JPM, DB, GS)

I see alot of GS and CS guys with logo'd stuff in the bay area. Most people who work at DB and JPM in bay area wish they were at other banks.

How many bankers are in the bay area? Also, are you only in Palo Alto or have presence in SF as well. I know that CS has split M&A in SF with corporate finance in PA while Lehman is solely in Menlo Park. Does being in one place or the other make much of difference other than you're living in suburbs for PA and social life might suffer a bit?

Are wages comparable in Palo Alto/Menlo Park as compared to San Francisco? Cost of living is significantly different I persume?

believe it or not, Palo Alto is just as expensive.

Damn, banks should come to San Jose. Cost of living is still pretty high, but at least traffic is better (again not good, but better).