Top MM Boutique vs Bottom BB Firms

Looking into investment banking and specifically a summer analyst position.

When comparing a top MM boutique, such as William Blair or Houlihan Lokey, to a bottom BB such as Macquarie, BNP Paribas, or Mizuho, which would be a better option? Speaking in terms of PE/HF placement, compensation, work-life, overall experience.

 

Top MM boutiques will be much better in terms of experience and exit opps. Caveat being that I assume you are most interested in executing M&A deals. As an analyst at WB or HL you'll likely execute several deals regardless of which team you're on. Mizuho does essentially no M&A advisory work in the US (they primarily issue debt to investment grade companies which often lands them on the financing side of transactions), and I believe BNP does minimal M&A work in the US as well.

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Dude, a top MM beats a bottom BB nine times out of ten. Everyone I know who went to somewhere like Baird is way happier than my friends who went to some of the sweatier BB's.

MM banks are way better for early exposure to seniors and to client, and for your own personal ownership of a project. At a BB, you're a cog. At a MM, you're part of a team.

Now this isn't true for a mid-tier MM like Piper or Lincoln, those places tend to be hell. My friends have described those places as sweaty, shrinking, and paranoid. But if you get a chance to go to a top tier MM - do it. You'll be happier, you'll have great exit opps, and your girlfriend will actually remember what you look like.

 

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