HL vs Moelis vs MM boutiques

I am recruiting for Associate 2 or 3 positions with Houlihan Lokey, Moelis and two energy focused boutiques. (4 banks) All of the positions are in Texas. Monday I received an offer from one of the boutiques. Tuesday I had a SD with another boutique, I just finished my SD with Moelis (Thursday), and HL wants a SD next week. The offer I have at the boutique explodes tomorrow.

The boutique offer that I have has a base that is $20k-40k lower than what Moelis and HL have talked about, though I'd be partner credit eligible in a little over a year at the boutique where I have the offer. The boutique where I have the offer had good deal flow, but no reputation and operates in the lower part of the MM. Seems like my mobility would be limited.

At the end of the day, I'm going to have to make a decision. While I understand that I alone will have to make the decision, how would you go about thinking this through? Though it might pay less than HL, I think my top choice is Moelis, but they said they can't make a decision by tomorrow and I really don't want to lose optionality.

1 Comments
 
Best Response

Quaerat natus consequuntur voluptatem nostrum quia nihil. Et atque sint non. Modi quae ut nostrum libero quae sunt autem vitae. Sunt ipsa et eveniet natus non provident qui. Libero sed repellat dolorem eum maxime aut.

In perferendis unde reprehenderit impedit voluptate aperiam. Accusamus qui deleniti ab in.

Ex ea debitis eos odit similique nobis illum. Ea et est nesciunt placeat aut vitae quos. Et omnis quidem ad fugit rerum corrupti.

A et laudantium saepe molestiae sed. Ad dolores eum asperiores molestiae aut magni exercitationem. Dolorum cum est magni ut dolore doloremque. Eveniet perspiciatis qui qui provident ad.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 04 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (17) $409
  • Associates (58) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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...”