Official BB Ranking 2020
Top: GS, MS, JPM Middle: BOFA, Citi, Barclays, CS Bottom: RBC, Wells, DB, UBS
rising: Barclays, JPM, Citi, RBC falling: DB, UBS, CS
Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
| +139 | Restructuring: Anti-climactic Experience | 37 | 15m |
| +111 | IB Net Worth / Savings Check | 51 | 11h |
| +98 | Woman who emptied Knicks trashcan on street then stole it was DEI exec, worked at JPMorgan Chase | 25 | 9h |
| +79 | Stop sleeping on UBS - it’s pretty good | 29 | 7h |
| +71 | Hot take: I’d rather be at Desjardins than UBS for investment banking in 2026 | 13 | 3h |
| +56 | 2026 VAULT PRESTIGE RANKINGS | 30 | 1h |
| +39 | AI + Financial Modelling | 12 | 1d |
| +34 | Hardest interview experiences? | 20 | 6h |
| +28 | Summer before college | 18 | 2h |
| +26 | Current State of UBS in North America | 8 | 2d |
Career Resources
"Official" lmao. What’s the point in this
Superiority complex and people like to feel as though they actually matter.
Of course this is all very region & division-specific. For example, UBS are considered a top-tier equity shop (both S&T and IB) in Australia, yet GS would be bottom/mid tier.
Numbers don't lie people.
It's free if you just "register".
What’s everyone’s view on GS vs. JPM vs MS:
If you had an analyst/associate offer from each, in what order would you rank the offers.? Also what about if the offer was not in JPM healthcare, MS Tech, GS Tech (elite groups at each bank) which bank would you choose?
GS over all (excluding top groups) due to overall prestige and exits. I would also take GS Tech over MS Tech/JPM HC.
depends - definitely not JP because their group placement can’t fuck you and land you in ECM DCM or FIG. would definitely take GS Industrials/FIG/TMT over most MS groups. but would take MS M&A or MediaComm over GS industrials/FIG.
Why is cs falling?
it isn't. college freshmen just like to talk shit.
this aged like fine wine
God not this shit again.
I recall Someone mentioning WSO was thinking of a space where only certified users were allowed to interact. I wish they followed through. I’m so tired of these cliche topics that are absolutely meaningless.
Are you saying these rankings basically don't matter? These are all good banks to start one's career at?
It's topic dependent, so if you start a topic I think you can force only allowing certified users to respond.
There is a cert user only feature but a discussion has to be initially posted with that option selected. These random high school kids can still come in and start new bullshit discussions open to everyone.
it's possible, you can create a thread where only CU's can reply. I've generally shied away from doing it when I create threads, but the functionality is there
Bad topic but this could be helpful for someone in undergrad with 2 offers. For PE recruiting, I'd say these rankings are pretty accurate.
Exactly, idk why these sensitive boomers are so mad. This is essentially how headhunters view the BBs, it's not like OP said that DB employees are idiots and GS ones are geniuses.
I went to a nontarget and when I had offers from 2 BBs I had no idea which was better until I looked at WSO. If I went to the wrong one, my whole life trajectory would have been messed up.
Think you forgot to add Tobin & Co. under best tier
2030 rankings
Top: DB, Nomura, UBS Middle: BOFA, Citi, Barclays, CS Bottom: GS, MS, JPM
Honestly though this a pretty solid most recently updated list.
Wells is a BB - prove me wrong
Not enough nomura
This is honestly accurate, very few people work at GS/MS/JPM though, so enjoy the monkey shits.
If anyone has an offer from 2 banks, take the one in the higher tier. If same tier, go with people/culture.
Weird thing to say without consideration of groups or office if it is non-NYC. The difference between the "middle" and "top" here is less of a difference than the difference between groups.
Most BB offers are generalist and you have to network in to a group(Big reason why I went to an EB. You are absolutely right about NYC vs non-NYC; however, I'd say this ranking would be correct if there was a caveat that said "NYC offices and average group"
Thoughts on EB rankings (can this even be done?):
Tier 1: Evercore Centerview Partners (both have top-notch pay, amazing deal flow and supposedly solid culture)
Tier 1(b): PJT Partners (top-notch pay, mega deals, slightly less established) Moelis (top pay, established, but higher volume of smaller deals, somewhat notorious culture) Lazard (prestigious global brand, fantastic deal flow, but pay is on the lower end of the spectrum) PWP (heavy-hitter senior bankers, top pay, still relatively less established, fewer deals)
Tier 2: Greenhill (established boutique, but been on a downward trend) Guggenheim (some mega deals, but heavily group-dependent - namely TMT, HC and FIG, otherwise sometimes considered to be MM)
Assumptions: -NYC office -M&A (not inclusive of RX) -Also does not include top MM such as HLHZ, Jeffries, Blair, etc.
Not a fan of rankings, but generally agree with this
Why did you say Greenhill is on a downward trend?
ugh I hate to do another of one of the "this aged well" post but....
lazard pay is way higher as of recently, even A1 bottom bucket is 145 all in.
Ya, Laz just bumped all bonuses up by $20k, so pay is on par with other EBs (except Centerview of course). Worth noting, since that is a weakness of Lazard's that scrubs usually point to.
Not sure why PJT isn't in Tier 1 tho, given top 10 M&A last year, largest per deal size (but multiple large deals, not one outlier skewing the mean, with Abbvie, TDAm, all the MGM deals, Caesars, Danaher/GE, etc.), largest deal value per analyst by far especially after EVR expanded its class and top notch recruiting, virtually everyone goes to top PE or HF (most recent included BX, APO, Carlyle, CB, TPG and a couple tiger cubs).
Also don't forget about CVP's 3 year deal and the fact that they're less keen on their juniors recruiting (even tho people do it anyway).
Also tempted to maybe swap CVP and MOE? Idk, culture sucks but it's definitely established especially if you include LA
The 3 year contract sounds like it sucks, but talking to analysts there you have more of an excuse to wait til your 2nd year to recruit for PE (rather than being recruited 6 mos. into your job) and they seem to have their pick of MFs/top HFs. Analyst class is pretty small (~20) and the MDs do come bat for you. not to mention the $50k sign on bonus.
It’ll be interesting to see how (if at all) the big EVR layoffs shake things up.
Agreed, PJT should def be Tier 1a. I didn't make the initial post, but I otherwise generally agree with the EB rankings
It depends on whether you are talking M&A, Restructuring or Industry Coverage. And are you talking just being an analyst or overall? For M&A I think that list is pretty accurate although Lazard is still a tier 1 M&A firm. PWP is small and the senior guys make tons of money. PJT and Moelis restructuring great exit ops for distressed/credit hedge funds.
“Tier 1a” “Tier 1b” I’m going to fucking puke. Please get laid
What kind of exit ops can you expect from the bottom of the BBs? Assuming top bucket
Depends on a lot like group, school, gpa. The same headhunters will hit up gs, citi, and rbc guys. Just do the best you can - these rankings are only useful for someone sitting on multiple offers. If you are dead set on PE and already at any BB, just work your tail off and hope for the best.
How much does stats (school & SAT score) play a role in PE recruiting? Also, what do you recommend who accepted a Ft IB offer do to prep for PE recruiting?
It depends more on the group than the tier of the bank. For example, BAML LevFin will place much better for PE than Goldman ECM. You should try to get an offer from the most prestigious group at the most prestigious bank in that order.
I'd say it's a mix of group and bank. It's not like nomura tech will be better than morgan stanley fig.
We've had enough with your rankings. Please refrain from making new ones.
lol this whole thread is the blind leading the blind.
Intern and Prospect reacts only pls
Not gonna lie whoever made this is probably annoying to be around in real life, but the ranking is as "accurate" as any ranking can be.
The ranking is quite weak. Only 3 tiers? Like I might as well have made 1 tier stuffed all the BBs in and called it a "ranking"
Is it just me or is this ranking exactly the same as WSJ's Investment Banking Scorecard?
http://graphics.wsj.com/investment-banking-scorecard/
The objective ranking for BB's should literally be their revenue. So I actually think this ranking is pretty good.
RBC is a MM firm
Also does anyone have rankings for ECM/DCM?
Why is RBC a MM?
They literally say so on their website... https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/business/advice/mergers-and-acquisitions/i… it means that most of the deals they work on are not the same size that GS/JPM would work on.
On the link above, you can change them around to see ECM/DCM revenue!
Thanks but its just total revenue.
What about prestige/exit opps/ comp etc?
replace/or add RBC with jefferies
Neither is a bulge bracket bank
.
I feel like I see a rankings post every other week
so you're saying we're getting better at seeing less of these?! nice!
Wells is not a BB
Legendary: Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns . . . . .
Top: GS, MS, JPM Middle: BOFA, Citi, Barclays, CS Bottom: RBC, Wells, DB, UBS
These pointless popcorn threads will never stop b/c junior bankers love paying attention to crap senior bankers couldn't give 2 monkey poos about; banking is banking; so and so is not a BB and so and so is blah blah. Reality is that a "bottom tier" BB could have strong deal flow and pay bigger base & bonus than a "top tier" BB ranked higher on the league tables.
The comparison still exists but instead of bank - bank its sell/side - buy/side so most IB MD/D will probably be viewed on as a failure by their circle. Usually those at the "bottom" care the least about such rankings or think they are the top.
I can assure you that no MD/D is looked at as a failure. That has to be one of the stupidest things I’ve ever read on this forum. You should quit life and stop offering stupid opinions.
I'm sorry but RBC is still a balance sheet bank and not a BB..
They did ~300-400 Syndicated Loan deals, ~300-400 DCM deals vs a paltry ~100 M&A and ~100 ECM deals last year.
That is not the profile of a BB investment banking division and the people of this forum trying to push RBC as one have absolutely no grounds to. It's basically a slightly better version of HSBC or Nomura, nothing more.
Every BB would have a similar split though. Absolute deal count is just a reflection of where the market is. Market share is what matters, which is why league tables are more relevant.
In 2019 US league tables, RBC was 11th in M&A, 10th in high yield, 8th in leveraged loans. So where does that put them? Across the board pretty consistently either at the bottom of the BB’s or top of “the rest”. Arguing whether that makes them a “BB” is just pointless semantics that nobody really cares about except college students or analysts at RBC, DB, and UBS updating creds slides at 1am.
Also, while the US banking platform has made strong progress, they are still weak in trading/research and non-North America.
this isn't true, you can look at any data and league tables it supports that RBC is in fact a BB. Market share is what is relevant for rankings.
False. RBC is on transactions because of their balance sheet. League tables are deceptive for balance sheet banks. RBC would never sole advise on a transaction without a BB or EB
what makes UBS a BB then?
fwiw, I think both UBS and RBC are pretty bad lol
I consider them strong enough in certain areas + full service, so they’re basically a BB.
Wells is NOT a BB at all
Look, as a director at one of these firms, I'd say these tiers are pretty accurate for domestic M&A.
However, instead of beefing up the status of RBC and Wells Fargo, UBS should really be removed from consideration as a Bulge Bracket - the deals just aren't there to back it up, and these past few years aren't an anomaly.
What about DB?
DB is still a top 15 player, UBS isn't even top 30 for domestic M&A.
I'll be frank, I know nothing about s&t/research, so my statements only apply to IBD.
What have your hours been like throughout your career?
ok boomer, nice 2009 meme
Who let the intern speak?
Every year someone posts a thread like this and it is guaranteed the fastest way to trigger half the people on this site. I think it is hilarious
it's even funnier because its true
RIP Kobe
Unpopular opinion: there is no God, the universe is infinite, non of this matter, nothing we do matter, this ranking REALLY doesn't matter. Ricky Gervais' bits at the Golden Globes were amazing.
none* matters*
plz fix thx
What are people's opinion of MS vs. JPM? I feel like MS gets a lot of hype but in a majority of league table publications (merger market, factset, wsj, etc) they seem to be behind JPM in global M&A. JPM does more deals but not many more, which leads me to believe both have exposure to big deals.
I know MS is a leader in the Tech IPO front but if you were deciding between the two today, which would you go? Factoring in recent performance, future outlook and the way the banks have positioned themselves
Nihil pariatur minima numquam eos veniam. Eum et sunt omnis totam. Voluptate ut ea ea cupiditate blanditiis maiores. Qui natus mollitia consequuntur earum pariatur nostrum qui sunt. Nemo quo et mollitia autem necessitatibus odit sunt. Asperiores aut doloremque eligendi impedit quis. Laborum sed aliquam architecto laudantium ratione.
Necessitatibus maxime qui nobis. Ullam ratione et molestiae qui quam eveniet. Sunt et quaerat et suscipit porro delectus aspernatur. Id est ut commodi at. Id veritatis id non non.
Aut ut voluptatem suscipit et corporis aut labore illum. Dolorum voluptas labore non ipsa quia. Rerum quos accusamus culpa.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Voluptate est necessitatibus officiis magnam est hic. Quia incidunt quibusdam ut hic quis rerum. Quia expedita nobis pariatur doloremque iusto tenetur voluptates. Sed vitae non numquam consequuntur sed vero at. Inventore aut nesciunt voluptatum sit reprehenderit. Qui quasi a impedit consequatur ut ut. Consequatur praesentium facere sit non adipisci.
Consequatur ut ut veniam maxime excepturi. Eligendi unde ad itaque sed sunt et minima omnis. Temporibus maiores veniam quasi qui molestiae minus est. Velit repudiandae beatae a. Voluptatem voluptatibus labore aut sequi itaque.
Enim nesciunt aut dignissimos ut. Cum commodi ducimus consequatur culpa. Impedit sapiente dolores reprehenderit voluptatem. Quo sint repellat voluptates fugit soluta explicabo aut est. Odio autem minus rerum rerum aliquam suscipit. Ratione eius deserunt et nam. Enim animi sit sint mollitia fugit doloremque pariatur.
Voluptatem aliquid omnis ratione ullam inventore sapiente eos. Quasi quis est numquam eius sequi et. Enim ea tempora quam rerum explicabo velit est. At voluptatibus illo sit ipsum eos consequatur assumenda ab.
Omnis soluta laudantium non ipsa fugiat ipsa tempora. Veritatis consequatur autem ratione maiores fugit ea omnis. Amet quia nulla quaerat sint quidem voluptatum. Saepe facere impedit quos totam animi est repellat. Ut sit et sunt possimus quia. Et eum qui quos.
Rerum temporibus ipsam quod dolor dicta temporibus sed. Qui qui quisquam dolorum quia aut et architecto. Et veniam eius quidem accusantium illo et tenetur ut.
Occaecati praesentium neque error nam. Odio ut et tempora dolor et dolores quasi. Tenetur provident voluptate nisi ad praesentium. Repellendus minus labore enim assumenda labore voluptatibus. Mollitia impedit blanditiis sint vitae et omnis autem.
Nam dolorem voluptas similique aut perferendis. Voluptas rerum consectetur similique autem aut aspernatur ut. Nulla architecto sequi adipisci tenetur eius. Quos quod quia est incidunt modi. Qui voluptates corporis magnam.
Perferendis nulla totam voluptas laborum quis sit aut autem. Et debitis libero est ullam. Aut aut eum dignissimos aut et. Voluptatibus perspiciatis dolorum iste inventore.
Deleniti ut voluptate quidem repellat ut natus. Perferendis doloribus delectus at voluptatum ratione consequatur quidem sint.
Quam est quod harum ut enim quia. Voluptatem doloremque ad repellendus itaque sunt. Non illo ut et incidunt a voluptatum. Sed quam omnis qui nam nostrum iure dolor. Odio a accusantium voluptatem earum. Quia est cumque facilis ut quam.
Cupiditate possimus et consectetur atque asperiores ipsum eum. Placeat qui et at eveniet libero voluptatem voluptate similique. Voluptatem aut ipsam velit cupiditate ipsum. Tenetur ex voluptas dicta molestiae corrupti et velit expedita. Nesciunt ut quos dicta eos doloribus.