BAML vs DB in London?

Thoughts on which to choose? Importantly I want to know for London - not the US.

Would appreciate if you could describe your reasoning:)

Edit: for IBD (M&A).
Edit2: main concern - exit opportunities to HFs.

 

Thanks @"Dawg-nuts"

interesting though - I would expect BAML to have a better rep (because of ML).

what are some strong sector teams (M&A) at DB in London?

The way Ah see it, is that it took a revolution f a bihllion people for your darn short to work out!
 
Chris7:

division is very important - but I would slightly pick DB over BAML

The division is IBD, I should have stated in the title but forgot. Does that change anything?

Also same question as above - do you happen to know what groups are top at DB / BAML in ldn?

The way Ah see it, is that it took a revolution f a bihllion people for your darn short to work out!
 

Personally I think they are pretty close. Both are pretty high quality across their teams, solid deal flow. Culture wise both work pretty hard relative to other London BBs. BAML sponsors and lev fin are pretty strong, so you see quite a lot of exits to PE. Also I think in recent years BAML has had the better comp, especially at associate level.

 
Best Response

I'd probably lean towards BAML, probably also b/c I hate Canary Wharf and DB's location near Liverpool Street is pretty nice. Anyway, since the GFC I have the feeling that European IBs are generally a bit in decline when comparing them to their US counterparts. Lots of people from DB/UBS/etc. left in the last months/years. Both obviously have great dealflow and DB generally always ranks in the top 5 in Europe (in case you care about league tables). Keep in mind that there is much uncertainty about their business model right now btw although I'm not sure if it will immediately affect you. Anyway, both are strong choices and you can't go wrong with either. Both will give you solid dealflow, exits, and pay.

 
Whiskey5:

Would take DB.

any particular reason? a couple more ppl above posted they would go for DB - but from a purely dealflow perspective it seems BAML is better? I checked leagues plus the biggest deals in Europe for 2014 - BAML on most DB on few.

Wouldn't this signal better exit opportunities for BAML (my main concern)? Or is my thinking flawed somewhere?

The way Ah see it, is that it took a revolution f a bihllion people for your darn short to work out!
 
HedgeWhore:
Whiskey5:

Would take DB.

any particular reason?
a couple more ppl above posted they would go for DB - but from a purely dealflow perspective it seems BAML is better? I checked leagues plus the biggest deals in Europe for 2014 - BAML on most DB on few.

Wouldn't this signal better exit opportunities for BAML (my main concern)? Or is my thinking flawed somewhere?

Both have solid dealflow, it is not like you have a ton of deals at one and only pitch at the other. Both score some nice deals.

 

@HedgeWhore

I don't want to be rude, but from my point of view this topic is pointless. You keep asking which bank is better for HF opportunities, while you don't give any information about your interests, which sector you want to cover in HF or anything about yourself.

I was an intern in one of those banks in London and I will say something that is pretty obvious - talk to people working there, because if you go e.g. to BAML because other people in this thread said so, then you are not smart enough to go to HF at all.

There are many factors that affect your choice. If you know German, then I would pick DB without a second of hesitation. Do you want to move to US in the future? Go to BAML. If you are attracted to the specific sector, look how the particular desk performed within last 3 years (it was mentioned before and you didnt reply)

And the funniest argument is that you checked league tables for the largest deals in Europe. You know why it's funny? Because when I was on my SA, I realized how huge is the gap between the best analysts and mid-tier guys. And everyone thinks he will be the best, while the reality becomes cruel. I have seen people working till 5am every day on huge transactions during summer, while other analysts were going home at 9pm. I enjoyed my internship and I am going back this summer and obviously I will do my best but I would prefer a team with plenty of smaller deals (2-5 bn+) than the team with only 1-2 large transactions (20 bn+).

I am sorry for being mean, but this thread looks like "who is better: Emma Stone vs Emma Watson?" Go fight now!

 
monkey_1111:

@HedgeWhore

I don't want to be rude, but from my point of view this topic is pointless. You keep asking which bank is better for HF opportunities, while you don't give any information about your interests, which sector you want to cover in HF or anything about yourself.

I was an intern in one of those banks in London and I will say something that is pretty obvious - talk to people working there, because if you go e.g. to BAML because other people in this thread said so, then you are not smart enough to go to HF at all.

There are many factors that affect your choice. If you know German, then I would pick DB without a second of hesitation. Do you want to move to US in the future? Go to BAML. If you are attracted to the specific sector, look how the particular desk performed within last 3 years (it was mentioned before and you didnt reply)

And the funniest argument is that you checked league tables for the largest deals in Europe. You know why it's funny? Because when I was on my SA, I realized how huge is the gap between the best analysts and mid-tier guys. And everyone thinks he will be the best, while the reality becomes cruel. I have seen people working till 5am every day on huge transactions during summer, while other analysts were going home at 9pm. I enjoyed my internship and I am going back this summer and obviously I will do my best but I would prefer a team with plenty of smaller deals (2-5 bn+) than the team with only 1-2 large transactions (20 bn+).

I am sorry for being mean, but this thread looks like "who is better: Emma Stone vs Emma Watson?" Go fight now!

Great response and I do agree that the thread may appear silly at first sight.

I wouldn't 100% agree that the "wisdom of crowds" (forum monkeys) is useless though. I started this topic and I reached out to people working there and looked at league tables and did other things. My point is I'm trying to collect as much data as I can. And "rumors" or what banking kids talk between themselves are not useless, I think.

When I started I had no idea that the two are roughly equal. Now I know this. Doesn't mean it will force my decision one way or another - but it will contribute to my decision making process.

For league tables - that's one of the only quant evidences I have access to. I'm sure you're more experienced and you see things differently but if you put yourself into my shoes: "all I'm doing is everything I can" - if that makes sense.

Thanks for typing this though!

The way Ah see it, is that it took a revolution f a bihllion people for your darn short to work out!
 

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