Worst/Best Names for Banks?
Not sure if this should go in this forum since its about investment banks, or the monkeying around one. Oh well.
What do you guys think are some bad names for banks? Hopefully this can be a more fun thread rather than flaming and arguing as we are not discussing reputation or deal flow.
For me I think the worst are:
Lazard.. reminds me of a laser and now it reminds me of dancing sobe lizards
Bank of America...a name that will rarely be prestigious as everyone asks if you work for the government. "Oh is that like the treasury department?" Response: "No it's an investment bank".
"So you invest in America?"Moelis.... you have a mole where?
The best would definitely be: 1. Goldman Sachs... the name oozes prestige and it is the "Gold" standard.
every time i hear lazard i always, without fail, think of a lizard.
worst name ever is definitely piper jaffray.... why a PIPE!?!?!?!
Gold man-sacks for the win!!
Regards
Goldman Sachs has the best name.
scottrade login
reminds me of the pied piper story with the rats and children
Gold, men and sex
Revolution Partners, overly dramatic name.
I can just smell the gunpowder of muskets being loaded
Albeit not an IB but an IM firm, the Man Group.
worst: houlikan lokey (sp?), piper jaffray - anything that i can't pronounce
best: blackstone, evercore, goldman, citadel - anything that sounds strong and prestigious
So, if your surname is not "strong and prestigious" you should not name your new ibank after yourself?
Old-school WASPy and elitist. Doesn't matter how rich you are, if your last name has a "man," "stein" or "berg" in it you ain't gonna succeed.
I think Lazard actually sounds cool. Yeah it kinda sounds like lizard but aint nothing wrong with lizards.
The worst are definitely Piper Jaffray and Stifel Nicolaus. They just sound terrible. Citigroup also isn't that great as many people associate it with their checking account.
Bain isn't really a bank, but damn it sounds intimidating. Much better than McKinsey.
Imagine if they merged and formed; McBAIN
:pAnyways, good ones(not limited to banks):
Merrill Lynch Goldman Sachs Evercore Blackrock Arthur Andersen Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Bad:
Long Term Capital Management Standard Bank Kidder, Peabody & Co PricewaterhouseCoopers
goldman sachs awesome
blackrock not bad either
Houlihan Lokey. I think someone was saying "Hokey Pokey" - in any case, it just sounds like a joke.
"The worst are definitely Piper Jaffray and Stifel Nicolaus. They just sound terrible."
They actually ARE terrible, lol!!
Evercore is easily the greatest name. It sounds like a heavy metal band. EVERCOOORRRREEEE
Qatalyst has to be worst by far. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Frank but that is just a boneheaded name. Dresdner Kleinwort. Hypo. Man Group.
Some good ones Blackrock - sounds ethereal Greenhill - has a British feel, sounds prestigious Evercore - fierce Credit Suisse - sounds clean and European
Although it doesn't get the greatest feedback on this forum, I think Rothschild is just badass. I think it carries more prestige than Evercore, Perella Weinberg, Moelis, just cause of its association with the Rothschild Family. I think they're the only investment bank that is associated with old school royalty.
Lazard just reminds me of some Lazarus bible offspring.
Another weird sounding one is Trioka Dialog, when I first heard it I though that was the description, three way Russian-focused dialog.
The best one is probably Blue Crest, as it just screams of imprialism and the vanguard of the old.
Guggenheim Partners sounds like a pretty ridiculous name. Like a 20-something Adam Sandler made it.
I like the sound of:
ABN Amro Society Generale Deustche Bank SkyScream Capital Partners
And not forgetting our beloved Goldman Sachs.
Ahh Deutsche Bank - sounds fine when pronounced properly, but I guarantee we all know someone who pronounced it Douche Bank.
I also hate when people pronounce CS "Credit Swiss"
I hate it when people try and mix up the English pronunciation with the French pronunciation, end up with "Credit Swees", and then act pretentious about pronouncing it correctly, when (if we REALLY want to be obnoxiously high-brow about names) anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of French knows that it's "Credi Swees", and here's a lesson in pronouncing the "r" in "credit": http://french.about.com/od/pronunciation/a/r.htm
I mean, if we're going to be pretentious about it, may as well go all the way, right?
On the topic related to Credit Suisse, in terms of banks that are no longer with us, First Boston had a nice ring to it.
They're not so well-known anymore, but Brown Brothers Harriman just oozes old money-ness. An elite-sounding name a la law firm names. And if you look up the founders, you'd find that the original partnership was quite elite indeed.
Also, regarding Blackstone / Blackrock, I still don't understand why Steve and Pete didn't tell Larry Fink to come up with a significantly different name once Blackrock was spun off from Blackstone. I think it would have boosted BX's brand recognition as there wouldn't be confusion with Fink's asset management firm.
JPMorgan for the win.
Yea Brown Brothers Harriman was quite prestigious. What happened to it and how come it's barely known nowadays?
they are barely known nowadays b/c they focus on securities lending, custody, f/x, and research and trading. they have moved away from traditional investment banking services and do not planon reentering those businesses.
Considering eight of the ten partners were members of Skull & Bones, and most of the people involved in the company were pretty connected, I would guess that the firm is still quite powerful/rich nowadays. They probably just keep a low profile.
wasn't kidder peabody prestigious too? what happened to it
I think the funniest name to look at, in its full form, is Fox-Pitt Kelton Cochran Caronia Waller. And I agree that Evercore and Citadel sound pretty darn good, whether or not you knew about their prestige beforehand.
Goldman Sachs conjures up an image of sacks of full of gold...what else do you want?
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Miller Buckfire is either best or worst.
I have no doubt it's a great firm, but I often have to remind myself not to make an accidental alliteration with "Buckfire."
J.P. Morgan? The man behind the name was and will always be one of the most legendary bankers to have ever worked on Wall Street...
Rothschild Lazard Frères & Co. (I don´t like the just plain Lazard name) GS
I know they're not banks but their name is nice: Eton Park Capital Management (Stonyhurst/Ampleforth Park CM just don't sound right) DLJ Merchant Banking (much better than HHHOOLLZGZ or whatever ...)
Worst Wachovia, BofA, calyon (credit agricole, sounds like farmer finance) socgen (very communist name) citigroup (WTF they sound like some kind of utility company holding)
yeah agree Goldman, cool and prestige to it... blackrock is like rock on... sounds very assertive and strong.. credit suisse or julius baer.. sounds like epitome of europe
how about italian banks like Banca della Svizzera Italiana (imagine some hardcore italian with hand gestures saying it)
some asian banks doesnt sound dat good.. Agricultural Bank of China, ICICI Bank( i see, i see aigghtt)
but yar BOA and tat hokey pokey is one in my worst list
Raymond James
-sounds like 2 first names put together
Edward Jones
nuff said.
Revolution Piperchovia Nicolaus Jaffalokey Man Financial Partners
I don't know about the name but Merill Lynch deff has the best logo... now that they are able to keep the bull in.
Relax yourself PoBoy...
Credit is a word in English. Hence people use an English pronunciation. Suisse, AFAIK, is Not a word in English. As such, there remains ambiguity on its pronunciation. But yes, if you want to go full-throttle with it, make sure you pronounce the whole thing in French. But I generally agree with what you're trying to say, as noted above, which is that people out to get off their high horse.
I must say that my favorite, non-bank name is Toilette and Douche for Deloitte and Touche
Also, best goes to Goldman Sachs aka Old Man Sucks, or Morgan Stanley aka Organs Manly, or Merrill Lynch aka Sterile Wench LOL!!!!
Worst is shit like when people call Goldman "Goldmans" in London ... that kills me.
Even worse, for sure is Stifel Nicolas and Fox Pitt Kelton Blah blah blah.
haha, nice on the "McBain"
Name, Name & Co Name Partners Name Capital Name Advisors
Moxey Capital Gains LLC
Talon Lloyd & Co (toronto)
Royal Bank of Canada is cool too
B of A - gay
I'd be interested to see the result of asking people with absolutely no knowledge of these firms to choose the best and worst names from a list. My guess is that there is a lot of brand bias in people's responses.
My girlfriend refers to HLHZ as "Hokey Pokey Lokey Tokey" She laughs at me every time I say that name. Very glad I never worked there.
Personally, I'm a big fan of Lazard. Really like the name. I also tend to like names more/less depending on the company's logo / color scheme.
"I'd be interested to see the result of asking people with absolutely no knowledge of these firms to choose the best and worst names from a list. My guess is that there is a lot of brand bias in people's responses."
Precisely. Ever wonder why the name Goldman seems too "ooze pretsige"? Because that's what youve been told about the bank ever since you first heard of it. If they were like Jefferies I can imagine what eveyrone on WSO would be saying:
"Whenever I hear the name Goldman Sachs I can't help thinking Goldman SUCKS LOL"
Carl Marks & Co. is a pretty funny name for an investment bank
Greenhill. Centerview Rothschild. . Evercore.
All are nice names.
Nomura, Piper, HSBC are lame.
goldman sachs awesome
blackrock not bad either
Thanks for the insight, champ!
.
The best names are gone:
Kleinwort Benson (only the private bank exists now) Barings Morgan Grenfell Hill Samuel Schroders
Salomon Brothers
Abc
My favorites are hedge fund names. Alpha Alternative Capital Group Management Partners LTD That basically covers every fund.name. I dare you to find one without any of those,
What about this small shop called Renaissance Technologies?
Bank Julius Baer
I like (not limited to banks): - Fortress, it sounds badass/ very solid. - First Reserve (sounds like a Premium place to work) - Apax Partners (just like the name) - Renaissance (sounds good too) - Sequoia Capital (once again it sounds "solid", ideas of growth and strength)
I don't like: - KKR/ William Blaird/ Raymond James/ HLHZ all those "let's make a company with our names" even though Greenhill sounds good. - TPG (sounds like anything but one of the biggest player in PE)
People actually like Evercore? That's sounds like a nerdy video game artifact or something.
Most of the ones you can shorten to 2, maybe 3 letters (GS, MS, ML, CS, DB, JPM, UBS) are good. I love the names Lazard and Lazard Freres...sounds so classy IMO.
Good call sir, good call! Evercore most definitely sounds like a video game artifact haha!
LOVE Pirate Capital.
Don't like Lazard-- reminds me of Lazy and Hazard
DB pronounced incorrectly would sound kind of horrible.
I like Fortress and Silver Lake.
Brevan Howard
well..
I'd choose from the highest paid IBs: JP morgan chase, Goldman, Morgan S. Citi, Baml~ I think they are just more well known compare to Rothschild, blackrock etc.. (even though they are good names too if you are in the financial sector)
Barings bank is pretty cool.
Does anyone else think these names always sound better when a British guy with a deep voice says them?
actually think Morgan Stanley sounds pretty good.
that and Blackstone....shit what a baller name
ditto. i like Salomon Brothers and Drexel Burnham Lambert...but we are all definitely biased Also like the european names, Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse
I've always liked Lazard, Evercore, and Credit Suisse. Some of the boutique PE firms have cool names, too, like Aquiline Capital Partners and Crystal Ridge Partners.
I personally do think Goldman Sachs, but if its actually a good name or just my inherent bias I will never know.
Over 60 responses and not one person said The Carlyle Group? -- sounds like something out of Men in Black. Good:
The Carlyle Group Morgan Stanley Evercore Lazard
i've always found the name "SOL Capital Management" amusing
I think the short form of Renaissance Technologies, 'rentec' sounds baller as shit.
lazard is a super lame name... most of the BBs sounds pretty good... with the exception of Citi
Some were previously mentioned
Barclays, Nomura, Wells Fargo, Credit Suisse, BlackRock, Blackstone, Bear Stearns, Drexel Burnham Lambert, Raymond James, Morgan Stanley, Carlyle, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts,
JP Morgan ChaseBearWashington
Saw it on the comments of a Deal Breaker post. Laughed out loud when I read it.
even when i was a toddler, and didn't know what it was, goldman sachs just sounded awesome
Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. SCA M.M.Warburg & CO KGaA Societe Generale (biased) DB, MS, Barings, Rothschild.
Toronto Dominion just has a ring to it.
Stanley Goldman
Citigan Stanley
Solomon Stanley Sachs
Medals & Battles LTD.
I actually really like the name Lazard. Blackstone is solid, but nothing to write home about.
My favorite sounding names for investment companies / major conglomerates / banks:
Warburg Pincus also a legit name
Amurrica's Growth Capital
Really no one has said Price&Price. If you dont know Price&Price you dont know finance.
Thats a ridiculously retarded name.
Have you seen a movie or read the book American Psycho? I can answer that for you no you havent or you would have obviously gotten the joke.
LOL, I jumped the gun a bit. I should have realized with so many others posting serious answers that it would have been easy to over look.
I thought it was Pierce & Pierce... not price & price... but perhaps I'm mistaken.
You speak true sensei.
Right! Now I dont feel like such a dork for not getting it, thanks.
Shit, LOL i didnt even realize that mistake i guess thats what you get for drinking all day and being shitfaced by 6 lol
Charlie Sheen Wealth Management. Done and done.
The name Charlie Sheen sounds like a fat man who inherited money from his grandmother and started a wealth management firm without any idea what he was getting into.
Pierce & Pierce
Thoughts on a few that I don't think have been mentioned?
Allen & Company Perella Weinberg Partners Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. UBS Barclays Capital BNP Paribas BBVA Banco Santander Rabobank Scotiabank Needham and Company Morgan Keegan & Company Keefe, Bruyette & Woods
Just my thoughts:
Good:
UBS Barclays Capital Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (thought not KBW)
Bad:
BBVA Rabobank Scotiabank Needham and Company
The others are meh.
I guess I don't like names that are just "Namebank", especially Rabobank. It sounds like a toy or something. Acronyms I guess can go either way; I don't really like how quickly BBVA rolls off the tongue, but UBS kinda forces you to pronounce each letter separately.
Also I'm not really sure if any of what I just said makes much sense.
Lazard by itself is a little weak, but "Lazard Freres & Co" sounds soooooooo badass.
Also you can't really go wrong with JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs. I'll agree with other posters regarding BofA...lame.
Wells Fargo Securities also sounds fine.
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