I love the south and consider DC, Charlotte and Miami heavily for a lifestyle change when I'm ready to leave my current gig. Just curious if the hours and culture tends to be more laid back down south for the local boutiques and/or regional offices of bigger banks in comparison with NY? Also curious if there are any other cities similar to the aforementioned with a finance scene worth checking out.
Thanks!
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The hours should be similar if not identical, however the culture might be slightly different (it’s always group dependent) like for example I know in the west coast, some groups wear shorts to the office
Following interested. Just my guess, but I would lean towards yes. Lower COL, easier lifestyle, less pressure for performance, less stress and demands.
Better hours? Generally no. More relaxed culture? Generally yes.
ATL also has a decent IB scene for what it's worth.
What are the top shops in ATL?
Not the guy above but interned at one of the banks below in ATL before lateraling to NYC FT.
STRH (biggest bank in Atlanta, HQ is there)
Goldman (Mostly seniors, a handful of analysts)
HL (Business Services M&A and FAS team, most of M&A team is poached from STRH)
Barclays (SE Coverage, I believe no juniors)
Guggenheim (MM, seniors poached from STRH)
Stephens (decently sized team down there, including FIG. Very sweaty)
RJ (Tech services)
How has your experience been in nyc vs your time in Atl?
How would you rank the banks you listed?
Honestly I don't think it'd be fair to rank the banks as a lot of them have different coverage groups and focuses, so I'll just add a bit more color to my descriptions above. Make your own judgements from my two cents.
STRH - Biggest bank as stated above so most optionality in terms of coverage groups. Primarily focuses on MM transactions on the M&A side, and has a solid DCM/LevFin practice as well. Comp is below street. A lot of the top MDs have left for other firms though.
Goldman - Led by a TMT banker brought down from HQ to lead SE coverage as part of GS's strategy to expand their IB division. Know a guy there, and from what I've heard from him comp is in line with GS HQ, culture is pretty good (He described it Southern but still in line with GS's corporate culture, so still very sharp and intense), dealflow is legit (not just a MM arm), and it has the GS name so exit opps are probably the best among the firms.
HL - Group of about 20 bankers in the business services M&A team (and 50-60 more in FAS). Global Head of Business Services sits in ATL, and was previously a rainmaker at STRH. Much of the team is ex-STRH, and culture is relatively chill if not a bit weird (especially among the ASO/VP level people). Deal flow is good, the office is in line with HL M&A and churns out LMM-MM deals. Exit opps to MM PE are decent. Comp is street to slightly above street.
Barclays - I believe it's all senior guys, know nothing about this group.
Guggenheim - Relatively new office started by some ex-STRH rainmakers. It's an MM office focusing on business services and IT services. The juniors there are all nice people, and the culture is pretty good, but not exactly Southern (relatively lots of Asians compared to other banks down in ATL, definitely doesn't have the SEC fratty culture that most other firms have). Deal flow is solid, and exit opps remain to be seen as its a relatively new office. Hours are pretty tough. Comp is above street.
Stephens - The second-largest office after STRH (not including HL's FAS group in ATL). Has several different groups, with FIG as the largest group I believe. Probably the most fratty culture out of the banks listed, with what feels like 90% of the juniors being an athlete or frat kid from an SEC school. Deal flow is solid (mainly LMM), but the analysts get absolutely worked. Exit opps aren't amazing, but LMM-MM PE is doable. No idea about comp.
RJ - Tech-based services group here. The culture is really nice, but the hours do seem pretty tough. Deal flow is very good (I believe tech-based services is one of the top groups at RJ). I've seen exits from RJ ATL to MM PE regularly, as well as the occasional jump to UM PE. Comp is street.
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Ugh. Yall think the boutiques would be more laidback?
Don't know about the other two ciites, but the hours at boutiques in South Florida are closer to a 9-5. You will have to take a paycut though.
The smaller you go the less intense the hours will be, but your pay and exit opps will be increasingly below market
Have some friends in Charlotte and ATL. Hours are pretty much the same, except that the culture is a bit more laid back (If you need a day off or to run errands, way more understandable than NYC). However, ALL dependent on your seniors... Have heard some hardo's from JPM or other BB migrate to the South, and bring the same intensity there. Network and get a feel for the group
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Intern at WF in charlotte and ppl come into the office in golf polos and sneakers so I’d say it’s pretty chill down here
Yes. The American South is one of the last remaining holdouts to not be conquered by the satanic, extremist liberal agenda being pushed upon them by paramilitary elitist groups such as Soros Fund Management and the Clinton Foundation. The left wants to turn feelings into facts, gay into straight, sex into gender-fluid. Do not fall for it OP, you are better than this. When they come for you, will you fight?
lol. This is funny.
Houston hours are worse, if that’s what you’re asking.
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