Chartwell Financial Advisory Opinions?

Hi all, would really appreciate any insight or thoughts you can provide. Have an upcoming interview at Chartwell for SA 2021 in their IB division in Chicago. Based on reports from 2016 on this forum, they were lacking in M&A processes. Can anyone provide an updated opinion? They seem to focus heavily on ESOP's which obviously isn't as sexy as M&A and not sure how well you could spin something like that for FT recruiting. Have heard they're moving to a new office in Chicago this year due to expansion of their banking division.

Any insight or opinions would be greatly appreciated. If I were to join how easy would it be to lateral FT to a reputable MM bank? Would you take a Big4 TAS offer over this?

14 Comments
 

Buddy from college works for them...they do M&A ESOP work and regge M&A (for their IB team). I think the Chicago team is primarily cap markets, but also do M&A. I know a lot of people in LMM-MM PE shops have come from chartwell, or theyve lateraled to other MM (LMM, HW, etc.). Theyre ramping up their firm and becoming more reputable with sponsors. Obviously, not my experience working there, but it would be much better than a big 4 offer...can definitely place you in a MM firm as a SA position if thats youre goal, or perhaps a MM PE shop if you stay (after your analyst sting). I work for a MM firm now (think LMM, HW, HL, PS, etc.), and still considering them as a lateral once I want a better work/life-buddy says he only works 80 hour weeks as an analyst

 

Appreciate that color. What if I wanted to go into another finance related field like consulting? Would you choose the big 4 offer over a boutique bank like Chartwell? 

Also genuinely curious how does 80 hours a week give you a better work/life balance? That sounds like above average for a boutique and pay is supposedly below street. Thank you for your answers in advance!

 

Have had phone calls with several people at Chartwell and they have all been very kind, and as mentioned above the recurring theme I took away is that they don’t want to overwork you.  

 

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