Why stay at a bank when HFs are so much more attractive?
I'd imagine there's a fairly simple answer to this question, but I haven't yet come across one.
It seems like bank compensation pales in comparison to what one can earn at a HF, even at the junior level. That said, it doesn't seem like many juniors are actually making the move from the sell-side to the buy-side. Is there something I'm missing - maybe most traders prefer the job security at a bank relative to a HF, or maybe they want to develop their trading skills on the sell-side before jumping directly into a buyside PM role?
This is from the perspective of an Analyst; I understand that once you are managing a book, the choice depends upon on the risk you can run and the % of PNL you take home.
You underestimate how important job security is. These hedge funds hire and fire all the time, and once you’re gone, it’s not easy to get back in. It’s very very difficult to get a good seat at a bank, and giving it up is a big risk as you won’t be able to go back
At a place like millennium, half the new pm’s are gone within 6 months 1 year, and probably 90% are gone within 3-4 years. If you have a few million in savings, these places are great to take a shot and try to get paid more. Not a big deal to be unemployed for 6-18 months after. If you depend on income to pay your rent, it really doesn’t make as much sense.
also if you join a PM working at a hf, and your pm gets fired, most of the time the analyst is fired with them
its a huge risk, even if you’re a great trader
HF is to S&T/ER as PE is to IBD.
Not at all
it's far easier to flame out of hf
most people find it psychologically difficult to be unemployed
recruiting for a job is painful as you get older
ergo, many people prefer job stability of investment banking
also fwiw, i actually think if you work at an elite boutique you do some cool shit in IB once you are a principal
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