Top RE IB groups?

Hello, 
What are the best groups in the US?

In terms of Exit opportunities (Blackstone RE / Starwood / Brookfield etc.), best training and skills development and also long term connections and network in the real estate investing industry.

Kind regards.

37 Comments
 

This is not totally right. Wells REGAL is the most hyped up group on this forum. They did have like 2 years where they sent a bunch of people to Carlyle and a couple to Oaktree/Brookfield, but they are certainly not the best REIB group at least from an M&A standpoint.

Take it from someone who’s worked in REGAL IB. Best group on the street is MS nowadays, they’re on most large REIT sell sides. Then probably BofA (lot of history), JPM and Goldman. Citi has great exits with nearly their whole class going to tier 1 RE shops each year, but think the group is a step below. Would put Wells with Barclays, DB and UBS probably. On the boutique side, Eastdil is still very good (but strictly M&A, no balance sheet anymore) and PJT is known to be at the top for gaming & lodging. Never heard much about Lazard, Evercore etc but have seen some of them on the buyside at good shops.

 

MS, citi, bofa, WF, GS, JPM, eastdil >>> rest

citi is always top of league tables and top exits. regal is one of their top groups. WF re team is their top group by far (not saying much but 100% a top group on the street)

boutiques all work on much smaller deals but are very respectable + smart teams from my experience. 

league table for reference:

SNL Image

 
Most Helpful

I generally agree with what you’re saying. WF is the number one lender to REITs, often times they are listed as M&A advisor but did absolutely nothing and are just getting some fees as a reward for previous lending (this is true for all BBs, but when you see WF on BX deals note that it’s unlikely they were really involved in any way unless they were on the other side). PJT is also a top group for gaming & lodging (especially gaming) and Macquarie is a top player on non REIT/RE related casino and gaming equipment deals.

 

Hi, thanks a lot for the answer. 
Is it realistic to get into MF straight out of undergrad (also note that I’m a student in a foreign country)? Also what’s best for long term skills and connections, 2 years REIB and then REPE MF or MF straight out of undergrad? 
Thanks.

 

I think BX is the only “Mega Fund” that takes analysts out of undergrad. I think TPG may have just started but it’s a very small number (lean RE team in general). Other places that believe now / have taken analysts include Rockpoint, Walton Street, Harrison Street, Westbrook etc. You could end up at a mega fund from any of these if you chose to leave. Morgan Stanley principal team has also always had an analyst class that nearly all leaves for mega funds etc.

 

Usually either (a) REPE, usually not a MF or (b) work for a client.

I’ve seen many associates spend 2-3 years at top REGL groups then get hired by the property acquisitions / property development team of a large REIT covered by the group.

 

BofA, MS, JPM and GS usually alternate lead left on any major deals in the space, especially M&A related transactions.

WFS has a solid team too, usually more involved in capital markets deals then pure advisory.

 
Funniest

Quis asperiores dolor laborum accusamus earum repellendus consectetur quis. Doloremque sit molestias dolore ad beatae. Accusantium doloremque maiores sapiente quis sequi id iusto. Deleniti qui ratione ea. Voluptas maiores est et iste.

Voluptatem vel neque cupiditate. Qui dolore aut nesciunt. Fugiat exercitationem ipsam eveniet.

Vero consequuntur vel exercitationem. Aut in ratione quae saepe provident.

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%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 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 (79) $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

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