Low BB S&T or MM CLO Origination??

1. Lower BB S&T. UBS/DB/BNP level firm 

2. MUFG for CLO Origination. (DCM IB type work, just very niche)

What would you guys take? Prestige & exit opps


I understand that S&T is highly desk dependent, but it keeps exit open, as career in CLO origination might pigeonhole you into structured products (but can lead to working at a CLO Fund)

7 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some considerations for choosing between a lower BB S&T role and a MM CLO Origination role:

Lower BB S&T (UBS/DB/BNP level firm)

  • Prestige: Generally, working at a lower BB firm like UBS, DB, or BNP carries a certain level of prestige and brand recognition.
  • Exit Opportunities:
    • Asset Management (AM): Transitioning to firms like BlackRock or Fidelity is possible.
    • Consulting/Executive Roles: An MBA can facilitate a move into consulting or executive positions in large corporations.
    • Flexibility: S&T roles can keep various exit options open, depending on the desk and the skills you develop.

MM CLO Origination (MUFG)

  • Niche Expertise: Working in CLO Origination provides specialized experience in structured products.
  • Exit Opportunities:
    • CLO Funds: Direct path to working at a CLO Fund.
    • Structured Products: May pigeonhole you into structured products, limiting broader exit opportunities.
  • DCM IB Type Work: Offers experience in Debt Capital Markets, which can be valuable but is more niche compared to broader S&T roles.

Key Considerations

  • Career Goals: If you prefer a broader range of exit opportunities and value brand prestige, a lower BB S&T role might be more suitable.
  • Specialization vs. Flexibility: If you are interested in a specialized career in structured products and CLOs, the MM CLO Origination role could be a better fit.

Ultimately, the decision should align with your long-term career goals and interests.

Sources: Why the focus on exit opps?, Career Paths/Exit Opportunities, 5 most important things I learned when exiting consulting, Can someone please explain this to me?, Exit opps for S&T (More focusing on sales)

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

S&T is going to be a far more interesting gig with more opportunity to take on responsibility at a younger age. However if you want a career in any part of the structured products ecosystem a banking role is the best place to start. It’s an entry level banking gig and they all are a grind but you are going to learn a ton and meet a ton of people and should be able to launch yourself into a variety seats (trading, buyside, issuer, etc) depending on your interests. I’m in SPG sales and always come away impressed with any interaction I have with our SPG banking teams. 

 

Highly desk dependent within S&T. Impossible question to answer without really knowing more about what you want. That said, I had the choice between CLOs and a more traditional trading role and chose CLO banking / structuring. There are very few trading roles I’d prefer to or find more interesting than my current role. But again, different strokes for different folks.

 

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