Declined MM Equity Research Over Boutique IB did I make a mistake?

Recently accepted an offer for IB FT to a regional boutique that I interned over the past summer. Pay is good for a smaller boutique (15-20k less than street and in LCOL area). Once I got the offer I notified a MM bank (William Blair / Baird / Jeffries )that I had an interview scheduled to withdraw myself from the process. My thoguht process was that it was for an Equity Research role and I preferred doing IB but now looking back I kinda have some regrets. The Equity Research position is at a significantly more reputable and well known firm which could've opened some doors in the future. Any thoughts on my decision and how big of a mistake it is?

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Not sure why you’re regretting this? I was in a similar position 2 years ago - interviewing at a well known IB for equity research and another small firm for M&A.

I ended up dropping the ER role for the M&A role cos I really wanted M&A experience and not ER.

It’s been 2 years now and I’m on my way to a BB as my 2 years M&A role was directly relevant to what the BB team wanted.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you want - if you really wanted ER, then you should have stuck with that role. If you want to be a career banker, then I’m fairly confident that you made the right choice.

Good luck. I’m sure you’ll smash it

 

You absolutely did the right thing.

Firstly, you interned there, so you know the culture and what the job entails. Presumably, you liked it.

If you accepted ER, you don’t even know if you would enjoy the role. You also would have a harder time lateraling to an IB role for a marginally better “bank” name. Whereas there are plenty of precedents in the status quo scenario.

Those are two unknowns you eliminated right off the bat. Plus, with your current IB role, it’s significantly easier to lateral for the same position at a more prestigious bank - btw, the list of “boutiques” you named are not “boutiques” - they are credible and reputable middle market investment banks.

This is a no brainer. Good luck bro!

 

Dignissimos aspernatur vitae quibusdam culpa dolores voluptas assumenda. Ducimus eum in eveniet sint ratione. Qui tempora commodi et quis quae.

Ullam dolores et aut accusantium sed dolorem. Quia est corrupti esse quaerat laudantium nam. Magnam dicta voluptas veritatis eveniet aut unde.

Illo voluptates sint similique velit optio. Neque distinctio corrupti delectus et. Ratione ad modi temporibus sed officiis dolore ut labore. Cumque molestiae autem officia ad.

Consequuntur dicta facere aut maiores atque nisi. Esse exercitationem quas ut eius. Beatae nisi asperiores voluptatem modi rem impedit dolores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (27) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
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...”