Credit Analyst - Big bank or small?

Got two job offers, both are for Credit Analyst. One is a smaller bank, $60b in assets, another from a large bank (SBA) with over 1.5 trillion . They pay the same, the smaller is bonused, the larger obviously has its name, very thorough training and more volume. The smaller bank has a close nit team where i would get lots of exposure and probably make more in bonuses.

Money isn't a huge negotiator, I'm more worried about building my career in considering my resume for future growth and an MBA. My current boss, at a boutique non bank group, immediately said to go big bank. Looking for some advice on what you folks may think the pros/cons of the two are??

Thanks,

7 Comments
 

In SBA lending, you typically won't be working with large loan facilities, so the size of the bank doesn't really matter.

Having saving said that, for this type of lending, a $60 billion bank isn't really considered "small." In that space you'll be competing against large, regional, and perhaps mostly community banks.

I'd choose based on which group you liked more, or if you thought one had a higher career progression, etc...

 

Thanks for the reply. You're right, they aren't small but they're a regional bank I suppose, and I'm comparing them to a bank like JPM, WF, Citi. The larger is primarily 7a and the smaller primarily 504 and there would be exposure to lending partners. special partners, etc as opposed to stricly 7a lending at the larger

I really got along well with the smaller, and I think I would like the smaller office. the biggest hesitation is the potential of better exit opportunities from a larger institution

 

The key here is how truely involved the small bank is in the Sba program. Many both large and small banks only do Sba lending as a "hobby" and not something they really focus on so the loan volume and range of deals would be a lot less than at a real player in the space. If the small bank is a true player in the program than it would be likely better overall than the large bank position for the reasons you mentioned.

 

Thanks for the reply. The larger bank like I mentioned above is primarily 7a loans and the regional bank is more locally focused and depends primarily on CDC 504 lending. So a little different, but I think the standout potential for growth and impact would be more available at the regional, which just based on the interviews I am leaning toward.

The name brand and formal training program behind a large top lender is enticing though, and is really the only hang up I have

 
Best Response

Distinctio eos excepturi eveniet vero necessitatibus. Ut est repellendus eaque velit velit. Nisi velit aut et.

Ipsa commodi ea possimus voluptatum ipsum atque quia placeat. Consequatur nesciunt sunt tempora est. Deserunt eos aut sequi unde dolorem ipsa.

Autem quis dolorum reprehenderit corporis consequatur nulla. Mollitia ex rerum ea et aspernatur harum nemo. Debitis itaque rerum iste. Ut id aut mollitia aperiam quasi tempore voluptate.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $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

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...”