Gleacher vs. Guggenheim vs. Lincoln Int'l Full Time Offers

Which would you take? I am having trouble deciding since I interned at one of the places and have offers at the others.

I like Gleacher but are they in bad shape? Seems like they still work on some good deals.

 

You have some balls if you decide to join a bank that has already announced its on the block. The fact that they 'still work on some good deals' means that there is still some franchise value there is a decent likelihood a sale will happen eventually. Its anyone's guess who buys them and where they might find redundancy if GLCH is sold. There are a number of ways that could play out, but if you had offers elsewhere I would err on the side of caution.

 
OGBanker:
Lincoln. Good shop. And I was pretty impressed to hear what their total comp is for analysts.

what did you hear that it was? I haven't seen the offer sheet yet, I just got the decision verbally.

 
RonaldBacon:
OGBanker:
Year before last, I was told by a senior guy at Lincoln that first years get 70 or 75 base and 100% bonus.

i don't think lincoln gets 70 or 75 base. i heard its lower than street. but then again, that might be for chicago?

I'm not familiar with their differentials based on city, if any. A NY Lincoln MD specifically stated the pay in an info session. Unless they decided to cut their base salary in the last year, it's either 70 or 75. I can't remember for sure if it was 70 or 75, but I believe it was 75.

 

Do offer letters usually contain info about the bonus? Does it give historical numbers or maybe allude to a % of salary?

How would someone who doesn't know about differing bonuses make a decision if it came down to something like lincoln and miller buckfire?

What if MB had a bonus of 20k and lincoln was 70k? That's a huge difference so how is one expected to know that?

 
Best Response
period I Am:
Do offer letters usually contain info about the bonus? Does it give historical numbers or maybe allude to a % of salary?

How would someone who doesn't know about differing bonuses make a decision if it came down to something like lincoln and miller buckfire?

What if MB had a bonus of 20k and lincoln was 70k? That's a huge difference so how is one expected to know that?

Stop worrying about that. The marginal difference firm-to-firm can not be wide enough where it is a concern for you, otherwise they would have a difficult time attracting and/or retaining talent. They aren't going to give you historical numbers. One is expected to make a reasonable assumption that they will be paid in-line with what their comparable peers receive in similar roles. They could give you a $5 bonus without recourse, but one is expected to know that that isn't rational or at all likely.

 

I know this doesn't matter but I saw that Gleacher is still ranked no.2 on vaults compensation ranking.

"Look, you're my best friend, so don't take this the wrong way. In twenty years, if you're still livin' here, comin' over to my house to watch the Patriots games, still workin' construction, I'll fuckin' kill you. That's not a threat, that's a fact.
 

Should have also mentioned: OP, Guggenheim has a solid 5 year plan in place. Heard they are also moving to a new office.

"Look, you're my best friend, so don't take this the wrong way. In twenty years, if you're still livin' here, comin' over to my house to watch the Patriots games, still workin' construction, I'll fuckin' kill you. That's not a threat, that's a fact.
 

I've worked at Gleacher and it was terrible. I don't think they have many people left so if you interview, ask them to show you where everyone works. It's probably pretty dreary. I think only 2 of their 9 analysts from last year are still there.

 
beastcoast:
I've worked at Gleacher and it was terrible. I don't think they have many people left so if you interview, ask them to show you where everyone works. It's probably pretty dreary. I think only 2 of their 9 analysts from last year are still there.

I call bullshit. Especially since I know for a fact that there are more than a handful of analysts there.

"Look, you're my best friend, so don't take this the wrong way. In twenty years, if you're still livin' here, comin' over to my house to watch the Patriots games, still workin' construction, I'll fuckin' kill you. That's not a threat, that's a fact.
 

I can attest to the exodus – 100% accurate. But seriously who cares... we're talking analysts. There are still some very solid groups within the bank (real estate comes to mind). If you can get a spot, and don’t have a slew of better options, take the money (salary that is, bonuses are dismal if existent) and weather the two year sweat slog to a top PE shop.

 
period I Am:
USCstudent26:
what did you end up taking?!?

Still haven't decided since I have until November 15th. Leaning towards Gleacher though.

future-1%er-problems. but seriously...I had superdays with Lincoln and Guggenheim as well BUT didnt get offers from either loll dnt knw what i would have taken if i had your options this is a close call. if you want HC or Media i'd say Guggenheim and the rest falls for Lincoln IMO

where did you end up signing? congrats either way

I don't throw darts at a board. I bet on sure things. Read Sun-tzu, The Art of War. Every battle is won before it is ever fought- GG
 

Just out of curiosity, can someone clarify the nature of the analyst leaving? are we talking guys ending up as head hunters, jumping to buy-side or going to a different bank ( of lesser or greater in reputation)?

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 
Bulldozer:
person i know left banking to go to consulting after his two years at Gleacher and only had negative things to say about his experience there

can confirm this. i know 2 gleacher analysts and they hate it. firm is going downhill as of 2011 and is a shell of its former shelf. horrible hours too and inferiority complex culture.

 

Gleacher used to have top-notch placement into PE not entirely because of good deal exp like other boutiques, but because they were more proactive about "placement" and helped their analysts jump to good PE shops. Granted, a lot of smart kids from ivys and what not worked there, so it was a talented pool. Given the current state of the firm and a lot of departures, not sure if that still stands, at least that was my perception when I was in the recruiting cycle a while ago.

 

I know more than one analyst in recent times that left gleacher before their 2 yrs up. Most left banking to go to other industries and did not go through buy side recruitment. There were also more than a couple fired. They all had negative experience which led to the pursuing other fields of work. Just my opinion but the banking field really wastes a lot of talented young resources, kids that really are smart and hard working. Times and the economy are not what they once were and it is arrogant to squander all this talent. Some of the best and brightest either leave or will not go to banking in the first place with the attitudes that prevail. When the $$$ were rolling in the hardships were ignored...but that is changing.

 

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Calm down.

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