Boutique IB or regional bank non IB

This is one of those cases where experience > name. As long as you can speak to your experience positively and you learned alot you should be way ahead of someone who works at a regional bank in a non-IB role. Think about it- what's the best indicator for someone being able to handle the workload/learning curve? A: Having done that work already. Use it to your advantage and go to the boutique.

Is what you said without question? Do take note that the boutique is REALLY small and I cannot be assured of their success in the financial market or if they are really doing any significant deals at all (i.e. hiring me mostly for sourcing role)

Thanks for the responses! @ALF, I go to a target in the UK and will be recruiting for SA instead of FT IBD next year. Hopefully this boutique stint will get me off the ground and become a proper competitive candidate.

Update: I have an opportunity at a private equity fund but mainly focusing on the portfolio operations/ consulting side. Would you guys still recommend boutique IB over operational PE? Fast replies are very appreciated as I need to make a final decision within the next few days.