BOA/Merrill vs. Barcap/Lehman

Now that the market has seen signs of stabilization; where do you see these newly merged BBs 2-3 years from now in terms of 1. Market share, be it M&A or Global Capital Markets 2. League Table Power (deals) 3. Prestige and Brand Recognition.

Would be interesting to hear some thoughts as the industry dynamics have changed. Although the acquisitions were entirely different; one a steal from the Brits, the other a forced "murder", both BBs seem to be well positioned for the future... thoughts?

 

Barcap/Lehman seems like it will emerge quite strong. BOA/ML seems exactly the opposite. They have been losing MD's and exec's left and right. Their prestige will never be the same as the ML days and their league power standing is only because of the sheer volume of deals that they share.

 

I think it is granted that alot of BOA's troubles are related to it's governmental control, but even after they pay back the TARP and escape from executive comp. restrictions, they will have already lost heaps of senior bankers and rainmakers. I understand that banking is a cyclical industry...but I have a hard time seeing how BOA/ML is going to make a significant recovery, particularly given BOA's reputation on the street as a place to work.

 
Best Response

Also, another quick question - why does it seem that most of the defections at BOA are in the IBD, but not in S&T or Global Research? (I've been following pretty much all the news and can't seem to understand why) While the percentage of IBD senior MD's leaving is significant but still relatively small (probably 20% by the time this wraps up)its a much higher proportion than in other front-office divisions.

In fact, relative to banking, ML was higher ranked in research than it was on the league tables...so why aren't top analysts departing like a few of the top bankers?

Is it because bonus pay in IBD is more discretionary or what? Can't really think of a reason. I even thought about it for like 10 solid minutes while at work.

 

@Big Unit - Assuming that your assumptions are correct. I would guess that it is due to the fact that bankers have options, such as restructuring or smaller boutiques. Whereas S&T and research is being downsized at BB's, and there only other option, hedge funds are also being downsized and aren't hiring. I think that they simply have fewer options compared to IBD at least for now.

 

Yeah thats a good point. My assumption is based on just the news I've been reading and word on the street. ML Global Research, at least, has largely stayed put (though a few defecions to Bar/Leh have occurred in Latin America by some senior people). This is surprising given that salaries are usually somewhat tied in front-office roles (in terms of correlation) and that its research was the strongest on the street, along with Lehman.

For S&T, there isn't much news flow on personnel shifts period. If anyone has differing opinions please share. I likely only have incomplete information compared to many of the people on this board who work at either company.

 

Haha...to summarize my poorly worded question (did it on BB):

  • Is it true that ML Research and S&T has nowhere near been affected by defections as much as BOA IB platform?
  • In all cases, only about 15-20% of MDs have defected or might in the future, but the majority of them are in IB. How significant is this?
  • Why has research and sales/trading not had the defection as IB?
 

Omnis accusamus aut ut voluptatibus ipsa iste dicta provident. Quos eligendi eligendi et provident ea laboriosam. Quaerat ut laudantium provident architecto. Repudiandae optio iusto voluptas aut.

Ullam sapiente cumque vel ullam iusto praesentium. Eligendi totam dolores autem tenetur quo quo magnam. Nesciunt voluptate odit et quos sunt autem quidem. Labore molestiae sed ut odit ipsa optio molestiae. Consequuntur omnis ea sit cum iste ullam. Incidunt quae libero minima. Et natus est ratione voluptatem corporis impedit.

Eos perferendis aut hic quidem. Natus cumque dolorem deleniti vitae minima asperiores. Sunt enim dolorem illum ipsam. Quia quas illum excepturi tempora. Quia nihil distinctio praesentium fugit tempora doloremque quis. Qui voluptates explicabo error commodi.

Quaerat earum minima quia voluptatum. Ea officiis nesciunt qui quod distinctio delectus sint. Maxime molestiae eos excepturi culpa aut. Nihil iusto beatae a et omnis ut. Illo soluta dolorem hic quia quibusdam voluptatem consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”