Two boutique offers? Help with decision

Hello WSO Community,

I have a question on regards with two offers that I received, that frankly I am not happy with. I have two offers with boutique investment banks. One specializes in buy-side advisory, with mainly private equity firms. I would work for at least a minimum 10 months, and my salary would be based on deals completed. This firm does manage to completed a fair amount of deals, since one of their clients only executes transactions through them. Also, this firm is creating a research division. The problem with this firm is that is that one I am compensated once a deal is completed, the second problem is that this firm has 3 partners and very few analysts, and third is that this firm is not registered with FINRA (so no licenses).

The second firm is a internship position, which is likely to result in a 2 year offer, is an investment bank that provides a wide range of services, except S&T, and focuses in emerging markets. This investment bank specializes in M&A and leverage finance. Also, this investment bank has as a separate entity a investment fund that seems to be a pledge fund. The problem with this firm is that compensation is once again based on deals that are completed, two the firm is not registered with FINRA (so no licenses), and finally it is still possible that after I complete the internship I may not receive a full-time offer.

I understand that many people would be happy to receive an offer from any investment bank. In my case I'm a senior at a non-target. Also, my parents live in NYC so costs will be low for me. I am waiting on other full-time offers. However, I was wondering what would be the prudent choice between these two investment banks. So what would you choose, based on employment structure and exit opps? Thank you

2 Comments
 

try to leverage the two offers against each other for a reasonable base salary? if you can't, the 2nd sounds better imo

“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be”
 

Ut unde aspernatur tempora. Sed neque quia aut voluptatum. Quia rerum dignissimos qui praesentium cupiditate. Consequuntur fuga voluptas ea sunt suscipit facere. Est libero repellat voluptatem iste.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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...”