Is UBS still a BB? Worried

Some background:

Incoming summer IBD at UBS this year. Quite worried with the firm's outlook and prospects as the firm had two consecutive dismal quarters for IBD/S&T, along with massive potential fines (4bn in France) and rainmakers who have left the firm. I also don't see UBS ranking highly in ANY product/industry, it really seems like UBS is just clinging on with it's wealth mag arm and IBD/S&T are really just supporting functions.

Other firms like RBC/Jefferies have been doing really well recently and even banks like DB which gets a lot of bad news coverage are still much further ahead as compared to UBS.

UBS IBD specifically just seems to be on a low key but steady decline. I feel that although it doesn't get much attention, it's definitely struggling as a firm. There seems to be this inherent notion around that UBS is definitely not in the BB category anymore.

Could I get any views on this especially in a NYC/LDN perspective? Perhaps are there even any exit opps or decent placements out of UBS anymore?

16 Comments
 
Controversial

Unfortunately, in the current economic climate, having UBS on your resume will get you blacklisted from most MFs and decent MM funds.

Might be worth contacting your UBS HR contact directly and expressing your concerns to them.

 
Funniest

I don't think you're panicking enough! I'd immediately start looking elsewhere - probably worthwhile not even mentioning that you got an internship at UBS. While you're at it, email HR and let them know you're exclusively a BB man and if UBS doesn't buck its ideas up, you're taking your considerable talent and expertise elsewhere... Like Barclays.

"Work is the curse of the drinking classes" - Oscar Wilde
 

Look it up - according to Reuters, UBS were 12th in fees from Global M&A in 2018. They're top 3 in Asia M&A, probably just outside the top 10 in EMEA and a little bit worse in the US, around 15th. That is a pretty good ranking.

But I agree with everyone else, make plans now to email recruiters and let them know you're only joining UBS to see how the non-BB's still manage to make a living.

 

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