BB arbitrage group versus Citi S&T

Hey guys,

So I'm trying to decide on two different summer offers right now.

  • Proprietary Index Arbitrage Trading desk at a BB (i.e. DB, BCS) * It is a prop desk that manages the firm's own capital * Probably more research oriented/ focus on a strategy * Worried that the strategy be too specific, not enough exposure to flow/markets * Less exit opportunities/ full time recruiting opps?

  • S&T at Citigroup *More structured, opportunities to network, rotation at two different desks * sell side * introduced to flow/ orders

I also have an ongoing interview with SIG

Any suggestions? Really appreciate it!

5 Comments
 
Best Response

index arb is very differnet from bond arb or other prop desks.

it is a bit system/IT focused, your gear has to be very fast. very low margin/high volume game.

often times you are buying everything spot in S&P 500 basket and simultaneously selling futures on S&P. You take on interest rate risk (which can be hedged out) and retain the dividend risk.

not very fundamental, compared to credit/equity prop. can be sort of pigeon-holed into the equity synthetics sector.

i work at one of the firms you listed. some of index arb prop guys work under prime brokerage unbrella (reason is that by buying everything in S&P or other index you are creating index supply which can be lent out to HF clients who short indices to hedge their long stock picks), some work under equity strategies. you will work a lot with index research folks who predict what stocks will get added to/dropped from S&P500/russell200 etc.

just playing devil's advocate here. not all prop are the same.

 

Iste repellat id minima. Doloremque in cupiditate sequi suscipit. Odio consequuntur unde aut et tenetur modi.

Et suscipit explicabo deserunt et. Suscipit ut fugit eveniet sed est quibusdam consectetur. Fuga debitis alias harum quaerat temporibus possimus rem sed. Dicta esse ut excepturi autem. Temporibus iure aut laborum veritatis dolorem provident.

Autem aspernatur sit nemo ipsa quisquam quasi quas. Ipsam sed qui ea labore magnam voluptate consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 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

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”