Capital Markets at BB vs. Boutique M&A for SA

Think MS Global Capital Markets DCM vs. a solid (but not top top) boutique- Lazard MM, William Blair, that type.

Considering 3 main things - Exit opps - Comp - Culture/hours

While on the topic- in general what are the exit opps for someone at a BB in capital markets (non-lev. finance) ECM/DCM

9 Comments
 

IMO I would take the M&A boutique over something like ECM or Investment Grade DCM at a bulge bracket. From those groups you really aren't prepared for PE (if that is your intended goal) and your full time offer will likely be to return to that group - not switch to Sponsors, M&A or a coverage group for FT.

If the M&A gig is the any of the ones you mentioned comp will be the same of better for FT.

Hours will likely be better in BB capital markets.

 

Weighing your 3 factors: - Exit ops will be better at the m&a boutique, but it depends what you're looking for at the end of the day. I think DCM roles transition well into corp treasury/cfo office type - Comp may be better at the m&a boutique, but depending on deal flow and the bank, comp could be decent at the BB DCM. DCM groups are some of the only money makers within IB right now. - Culture/hours will be better in DCM IMO. I worked in DCM for a bit, and the culture/hours was definitely better than IB, but more than S&T. I also found that groups within DCM mesh well and culture was definitely a sell for me.

 

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