Who has more fun?

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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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.

 

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

 

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