ML and Citi - What are they known for?

What are the good desks in these shops (for example DB is know for fixed income in general, JP is known for commodities)? I'm writing out cover letters and I'm not really sure what these firms are best at.

Also if you know, I'm not sure about the following banks either: B of A, Lazard Capital Markets, Wachovia, HSBC, RBS.

6 Comments
 
Best Response

I think DB is best known for FX. JP is a big high yield player (GS/MS command a huge lead over everyone else in commodities. GS acquired Commodities Corporation some years back and then vaulted ahead of everyone)

I associate Citi with mortgage trading and exotic fixed income products (unsurprising, considering their Salomon Brothers heritage), although I believe JPMorgan is credited with the innovation of the CDO circa 2001.

Merrill is known for being able to place tons of equity through its retail brokerage unit. I think they picked up some prestige in credit derivatives because of Barry Wittlin a few years ago but I think this reputation has suffered following ML's recent writedowns.

 

I tend to think of BofA and Wachovia as banks who leverage their way onto equity deals via their balance sheet. If they are on a companies term or revolver, they are likely to get some love on any equity deals. I guess you could call them full service firms, say you like the fact that they are one stop shops that can meet all of a client's needs.

https://www.accountkiller.com/removal-requested
 

Dolorem deleniti recusandae ut laboriosam perferendis minima. Est repellendus et magnam velit quia voluptas ipsa ut. Veritatis ut ipsum et. Voluptas excepturi optio mollitia accusantium sint et. Est dolores deleniti sit molestiae vel est quis.

In qui rem est esse. Tempore illo molestiae odio pariatur at et. Recusandae accusamus magnam eaque vitae. Dicta perferendis est quas eum sit rerum dolores.

Deleniti natus nostrum id ut. Enim dolor iste laboriosam iste sed error. Dolores architecto dolorem odit fuga. Ducimus sunt sunt et dolore omnis.

Illo natus tempora sequi ratione. Aut ipsa fugiat sit est ipsa. Esse earum molestiae est. Expedita exercitationem repellat corrupti odit eum. Voluptatum quae fugit et consequuntur qui. Voluptatem consequuntur quia ducimus sit veritatis quos expedita voluptatem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”