What firms are overrated?

I think the most hated firms on WSO are pretty clear: BoFA, UBS, and Jef are seemingly shit on everyday. However, this brings up the question on the flip-side what firms is hyped up the most with nothing to show for it. In other words, what firms does WSO overrate?

56 Comments
 

Because there isn't a particular reason to shit on Citi other than intermittent layoffs which applies to most BBs. Exits, brand name, and pay is nothing bad or great. DB is literally the best bank in terms of culture on the street, while the pay isn't the best but definitely not the bottom. I don't agree that Canadian banks are actually considered better than their performance. RBC and TD are not the top banks but certainly terrific places to start a career because you do get deal experience from either banks. 

 

UBS, BoFA, and Jef all get shit on, but also for very valid reasons. Usually, on posts around them, the top comments are pretty reasonable regardless. Yes, there is hate on those banks, but think consensus opinion/at least top comment on all 3 banks, is pretty reflective of their broader league table rankings in the US for LTM. Jef and UBS are part of that group of banks right below the top 8 of the 6 true BBs + CVP + EVR, and BoFA is widely acknowledged as being part of that top 8 as one of the mid-tier BBs alongside Barclays and Citi. Think those are all valid places to put those 3 firms. 

 

Tbh this is a hard question because the only group that doesnt get shit on here is PJT RSSG and CVP. I guess CVP by the definition of overrated (culty experience, extremely sweaty, heavy facetime culture, actively discourages recruiting, lackluster exits from ppl that do end up recruiting likely due to burnout...) but it is still one of the best places to start your career.

 
Controversial

Moelis for sure, a glorified MM bank. Was never really an EB 

 

this IMO. I get that Ken Moelis is seen as a huge dealmaker with unlimited access to a lot of board rooms + exits are good overall for analysts, but that doesn't make up for the subpar quality of deals they are taking on. Too many sub 500mm deals with random-ass companies

 

nah bro I'm at an actual EB, as opposed to MM that crunches ~$300M deals with random ass sponsor backed HVAC or medical devices companies. 

Congrats on MOE though! 

 

Yeah, at least Moelis analysts get paid, while a real EB like Lazard gets paid BofA level bonus. I bet my balls this comment will be bombarded with monkey shits from salty Lazard analysts. I have never seen any post or comment that gets more monkey shits than criticizing Lazard or recommending to choose other firm over Lazard. Literally a bank filled with the most insecure kids. 

 

Facts, don’t work here but have heard less than stellar things from roommates (and not the ramen noodles dumping fake news )

 

Hires mostly from targets, focuses on large cap deals, and the brand spill over from RSSG, exact opposite depiction compared to Moelis. 

 

Meh, large-cap focus is honestly overblown. CVP / Q are the only EB left that truly focus on large-cap M&A. From a strategic standpoint, it means a ton of sense for EBs like PJT to go downstream and take some MM share too, otherwise they would go GHL

 

Has to be the most obvious troll? This forum shits on UBS and RBC almost every day. There's like a UBS hate thread on top of this forum every day. RBC is also one of the firms that catches the most random strays almost at all times. WF literally has a heavily engaged in and upvoted on that calls it underrated by a senior there, I have no idea how your ranking here.

 

so true, dogshit dealflow with BS mandates tagged as "M&A advisory" lmao. What a joke

 

Quia vel porro similique nesciunt. Occaecati velit blanditiis facere deserunt quibusdam quae voluptatum. Dolorem fuga et dolorem nesciunt ad ipsa modi. Est eius voluptatum animi incidunt labore minima ducimus ut. Et voluptatem eos assumenda non qui ea ducimus.

 

Laborum accusantium rerum temporibus dignissimos est. Eum consequatur vitae vel inventore. Voluptas unde voluptatibus eum molestiae nobis. Dolor quibusdam ut est aut.

Aspernatur dicta ut omnis accusantium tempora. Animi doloribus ad non dolorem. Reprehenderit deleniti perferendis natus accusantium ab fugiat. Sapiente aut non fugit id saepe. Et iste voluptatem consectetur praesentium enim. Magnam sit vel cum sint cum eos culpa. Sed velit sit ea.

Minus debitis neque adipisci accusantium repellendus sint. Voluptatem neque pariatur distinctio quaerat sed. Error repellendus vero rem facilis natus eius.

Ipsum deserunt in qui quia beatae et. Nihil dignissimos natus eos culpa. Tempore sit quo incidunt iusto et quia sint rerum. Aliquam corrupti dicta sunt aut non.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”