whats a better career route, FDD or IB/Corp Dev offer?

Recently received an offer at a well known bank for an investment banking M&A position that focuses on advising 3rd parties as well as doing internal M&A development, both on the buy side and sell side. The group goes through periods of time where it focuses on one or the other. The internal M&A does not relate to just buying other banks, the company is in the business of buying and selling companies in several industries.

Is it better to take this offer or stay in an FDD role and continue looking for a more traditional IB role?

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That's a very interesting and odd/mix. If you are advising 3rd parties, I assume this is across various industries vs. corporate development in FIG/Fintech. Doesn't seem like an easy way to leverage experience (modeling, positioning/investment highlights much different between financial services and other segments), but you'll have good range of broad experience to draw from and be able to do some of everything to figure out what you like and dislike about IB and CD.

Given this is an extraordinary position, I would suggest not disclosing the bank, which will make it harder to provide advice. I think you should do diligence on the percentage of external vs. internal, the group and reporting structure (along with roles and responsibilities) and career path/trajectory in this role.

Number of deals per year (will/should be higher external vs. internal) per MD would be a good metric to start with.

 

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