Jefferies vs RBC vs DB vs Houlihan Lokey

Hi all,

Offers from all 4 of the above for full time analyst roles in IBD London starting next summer. Leaning toward RBC as I enjoyed their process more than others and they seem to have shaken off that period from a few years ago when they were cutting back. Is there a significant difference between any in terms of exit opps/deal flow/reputation? I'd like to end up in PE/Hedge Fund (etc etc) although am interested in TMT

P.s. I appreciate there's a lot of similar questions on WSO and I have read all the relevant forums pertaining to these banks. However, I would like opinions as of 2021 and I don't have a great deal of relevant experience/contacts to make my decision. 

77 Comments
 

Hey, would also be interested in your timeline after the AC regarding offer and product/coverage group decision at Jefferies and RBC - had my AC at one of them as well. Would personally choose either DB or Jefferies, with DB slightly ahead: DB>JEF>=RBC>Houlihan, assuming it's not Restructuring.

 

I don't know about "not comparable". Deutsche recently cut 18k staff and has remained downhill since. Even with the higher deal flow at present, they've fallen below both Jefferies and RBC in previous years (excluding the pandemic) and their "BB status" is at best under the microscope right now.

In EMEA though, Deutsche for exits, although Jefferies is the best platform I'd say. 

 

Found the pissed of wealth management kid who couldn’t get an offer and wants to shit on IB because he wasn’t able to break-in with his 2.3 GPA. Have fun trying to get laid, we know you’re struggling.

 

DB employees out in full force today. Don't know what tables you looked at but,

1) they were top 10 for global M&A by deal value in 2019, ahead of DB.

2) DB aren't top 10 in M&A either right now despite being a "bulge bracket".

Deutsche would be better for OPs purposes but on paper, it's been piss poor for its size. 

 

I feel like most of these people are answered in terms of the US IBD scene. curious to see what London based bankers say.

 

Totally agree. As many before me pointed out in other threads, London HHs tend to prefer BBs. DB is strong (to my knowledge) in  LevFin, Industrial and TMT (OP's interest), Jeff is also good (not as good as in the US) but can be quite sweaty (a close friend of mine works there). HL is MM at best (unless is RX, which is top notch). Can't talk much about RBC 'cause I don't personally know anyone working there, but I'm fairly sure it's nowhere near DB or Jeff in terms of exit ops. I'll take DB if I were you.

 

Didn't see it was London my bad. If US, I'd still stick with what I said but yeah if it's London, you're right

 

In a similar position (same offers apart from HL) and I'm going to accept DB - honestly seems like the best choice after speaking with friends and people in the industry. 

 

I work in a top NRG team in London so have some sense of how these guys stack. 

DB is actually a really good bank in EMEA, unlike in the US. Overall, it's best of the 4 but I might pick RBC if you're interested in P&U.

Jefferies has a decent energy team, led by an ex-BofA guy. Don't know how the other groups do.

RBC has a really good P&U team, they focus on buyside deals for sponsors which can be painful to work on but they do well in that space. Every other industry group is very weak.

HL is not great. I would avoid everything except RX.

 

What is the comp like bonus-wise at these places compared to general An 1 in london? Have offers at 2 of them (as well as other MMs) but trying to decide.

 

HL London offers a base of 65k and a 10k sign on bonus for A1. Not sure what the expected end of year bonus would be. The firm seems to be growing rapidly in Europe but clearly not going to be giving you MF PE exit opps. 

 

None of these comparisons make sense as “generalities” - as others have said

- RBC is non-existent in EMEA apart from their coverage of Metals & Mining companies operating in Africa or Central Asia (which is still very good business) - if that’s what you want to do and want to head back to the US or Canada, that makes sense but if you want to stay in London/Europe, not great, very much seen as a tier 2/3 bank here (despite my handle, I’m based in London)

- DB - like someone else said above, they are actually very solid in Leveraged Finance and Energy. I see them on a lot of processes and they are ballsy (which is probably why they got in all these troubles in the first place, not exactly a Risk based culture but you do more cool stuff and more deals)

- HL - they literally have the best restructuring groups in EMEA (debatable ahead or behind PJT) but are a complete sweat shop - analysts were getting CRUSHED in 2020 and I think something like 15 people walked out day after receiving their bonus - which is huge for a shop like HL. Don’t know their M&A team but I understand not as strong. Also more of a “niche” name vs. the big banks who get instant name recognition 

 

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