Which PE firms are most likely to hire from BAML / Bofa IB? And from which groups? (specifically in NYC). I know there are threads but they never specify firms. Just curious
| +47 | Independent Sponsor - Path Ahead? | 15 | 2d |
| +34 | 2026 PE Associate Bonus Thread | 40 | 1d |
| +34 | Legacy vs. Up-and-Coming Funds | 16 | 1d |
| +28 | Does anyone believe their firm has a true competitive edge | 9 | 26m |
| +21 | Semi-target into IB (London) -> PE | 20 | 4d |
| +19 | Do you regret doing PE? | 6 | 1d |
| +15 | Mid Level Attrition | 9 | 14h |
| +11 | those of you who had an easy banking experience - how f’d were you when you went to PE? | 7 | 4d |
| +9 | PE Junior Summer? As an undergraduate at a target school? | 1 | 3d |
| +8 | Why is every PE firm so top heavy? | 3 | 3d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, while the specific private equity (PE) firms that are most likely to hire from Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) / Bank of America (BofA) Investment Banking (IB) are not explicitly listed, we can infer some insights based on the general trends and the reputation of certain groups within BAML.
M&A and LevFin Groups: These groups usually have the largest intern and analyst classes, indicating a robust training and exposure to high-profile deals. M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) and LevFin (Leveraged Finance) are traditionally seen as attractive to PE firms due to the analysts' experience in deal-making, financial modeling, and understanding of leveraged transactions. Analysts from these groups are likely to be attractive candidates for PE firms looking for individuals with strong technical skills and deal experience.
Product Groups: The context mentions that PE placement is highly reliant on the individual, but being in a product group (like M&A or LevFin) can provide relevant experience that PE firms value. Analysts in these groups work on transactions across various industries, gaining a broad skill set that is applicable in PE.
Real Estate (RE) Group: Although not included in the initial list, the RE group at BAML is mentioned as one of the top 3 RE IB groups by RE exit opportunities. This suggests that analysts in the RE group have a good chance of moving into real estate-focused PE firms, given the group's strong reputation and the specialized skills these analysts would possess.
Placement Trends: The context also mentions that certain groups like FIG (Financial Institutions Group), GIG (Global Industrials Group), and NR/E&P (Natural Resources/Energy & Power) have varying degrees of difficulty placing into PE. FIG is noted for decent placement in FIG-focused PE firms, while GIG and NR/E&P are described as harder to place in PE. This could imply that analysts in FIG might have a more straightforward path into PE firms that specialize in financial services investments.
While specific PE firms are not listed, analysts from BAML/BofA IB, particularly those in high-profile groups like M&A, LevFin, and potentially FIG, are likely to be attractive to a wide range of PE firms, including both large, well-known firms and smaller, sector-specific shops. The actual PE firm an analyst might move to can depend on various factors, including individual performance, networking efforts, and the PE firm's specific needs at the time of hiring.
Sources: BAML IB Groups (NYC), BAML IB Groups (NYC)
As someone who came from BofA, I don't think the group really matters. You're at a BB. You're going pretty much get every interview you want. When I was recruiting, I got an interview invitation at pretty much every shop with the exception of H&F and Silverlake and ended up at one of those shops that a lot of people want. I even got interviews for industries that were vastly different than the one I covered. I'd say most of my peers at BofA, across different groups, had a similar experience
Earum quia autem aut et assumenda distinctio tempore. Doloremque ea harum vero. Nam eveniet impedit magni dolore sequi veritatis. Optio fuga consequatur rerum ut. Delectus assumenda alias sequi culpa laboriosam rerum.
Error voluptate ea rerum facilis sunt quia autem. Quam rerum blanditiis saepe distinctio eum facere. Omnis quidem et quisquam laborum perspiciatis nisi.
Qui minima fuga quia sunt non perferendis. Libero eum id necessitatibus qui.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...