Go for Brand-Name?

A friend of mine is choosing between two offers: a brand-name insurance company and a high frequency trading firm. She wants to do trading in the future. I suggested her to go for the HFT firm since it's trading, and the job should be more interesting. She's concerned that because it's really a no-name firm, it might not appear to be as good as the insurance company (where she will do capital management).

I asked a couple of my friends and nearly all of them said go for the HFT firm because you definitely learn more on that job.

I would love to hear your opinion on this.

 

Dont go for the insurance company...i've had the unfortunate pleasure of working at a reinsurance company for two years..

You need to keep in mind that there are really only two "well-known" HFT firms: Renaissance and Getco. In my opinion, the more obscure the HFT firm the better, given that they have a good AUM.

 
Best Response
Bernankey:
Dont go for the insurance company...i've had the unfortunate pleasure of working at a reinsurance company for two years..

You need to keep in mind that there are really only two "well-known" HFT firms: Renaissance and Getco. In my opinion, the more obscure the HFT firm the better, given that they have a good AUM.

I would add Citadel in there too. But ya, this HFT firm she has got is very very obscure and rather secretive (they don't even say they're a finance firm). Not sure if that's a good thing.

 
Bernankey:
Dont go for the insurance company...i've had the unfortunate pleasure of working at a reinsurance company for two years..

You need to keep in mind that there are really only two "well-known" HFT firms: Renaissance and Getco. In my opinion, the more obscure the HFT firm the better, given that they have a good AUM.

What do you define as a good AUM?
 
jesus of nazareth:
Bernankey:
Dont go for the insurance company...i've had the unfortunate pleasure of working at a reinsurance company for two years..

You need to keep in mind that there are really only two "well-known" HFT firms: Renaissance and Getco. In my opinion, the more obscure the HFT firm the better, given that they have a good AUM.

What do you define as a good AUM?

It really depends on their strategy...if this was just a general HF then id say at least 500m

 
dabanobo:
HFT, no contest. If you're in the business, there are dozens of well-known firms.

Also, she will learn nothing at an insurance company.

This.

Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
 

Totam ipsa id ipsum eveniet eveniet. Hic et ducimus et laudantium nobis. Quo necessitatibus nemo iste unde ex.

Sint consequatur molestiae quidem autem et et. Rerum rerum sapiente qui.

Sunt et molestias voluptatem labore tempore deserunt aperiam. Temporibus rerum eos quibusdam temporibus quae. Omnis dolores earum nam tempore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 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 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 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

May 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

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”