Hey WSO,
Just wondering if anyone could share any insights into which IB division is the most satisfying to work in (M&A, Levfin, DCM, ECM, Restruc).
Does anyone find the different arms of IB have a better work life balance or seems to enjoy their work more? (Or is everyone equally miserable across the board)
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Blondes, although I have heard that Redheads are freaky....... Oh ... Were talking IB ...... Um M&A?
Redeads, if u want a fun time with someone you can have a conversation with. Blondes are high maintenance
yay STEREOTYPES
Depends on company...best way to find out is talk to people from the groups. In general, I've heard M&A is pretty challenging worklife. FSG is probably the most enjoyable culture, but LevFin is also supposed to be pretty decent. Can't speak much for Restructuring, but thats also a sweatshop like M&A I heard. DCM and ECM aren't traditional banking groups, so if you like having a more interpersonal career than these might be for you.
As someone interested in FSG, genuinely curious as to why you think they have the best culture (in general, i mean - i'm aware that every bank is different)? Is it due to work/life, dealing with buy-side clients, etc.?
From people I've talked to in a certain bank FSG group, won't mention bank but think larger BB bank, work/life balance seems much better, hours tending to be leaning more towards the 70 per week compared to M&A which is upwards of 100. Also, its generally a smaller group so if the people are great everyone becomes super close and you generally have better connections with the senior members (VP, MD). Some groups are so large that you're pretty much irrelevant to them it seems
Similar question: Does Investment Banking work/life balance vary by city?
For example, in my mind NYC bankers are working the longest hours and are the most miserable. Is it the same across the board in SF, CHI, LA, HOU, CLT, etc?
Could be totally wrong, just curious.
Definitely. NYC gonna work much longer hours than the respective branches in Chicago. Just research the offices and talk to people to better gauge which city is the hardest cause it will vary by firm
This is not true, at least at the two banks I worked for.
Very interesting. In terms of post-MBA, how would the experience change at a shop such as, say, Moelis? Essentially, a place where there is a generalist M&A platform, and also exposure to RX mandates.
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