I'm getting offered an analyst position at a small (read: small) ibank. With few other prospects looming, I'm wondering if I should take this position or not. I've spoken to another ibank friend who said "hey, some ibanking is better than no ibanking".
Worries are that I won't receive good training, but the pro is that I'd hopefully get great exposure to deals. I figure I could just supplement my knowledge with a Dealmaven or Wall Street Prep program.
| +169 | How to stop feeling like shit for not making it in IB? | 63 | 4h | |
| +121 | If Tik Tok is forced to sell, what banks do you think would be involved in the deal? | 59 | 9h | |
| +85 | Updated LA Banking Scene (2024) | 61 | 8h | |
| +40 | Ranking banks that went under | 24 | 8h | |
| +39 | Burnt Out M&A ASO | 22 | 1s | |
| +36 | Relevance of A-Levels for U.K. London recruiting | 25 | 6h | |
| +33 | A strategy for SA applicants late to the game like myself | 17 | 4h | |
| +27 | Series 79 Help / Tips to Pass The First Attempt | 11 | 3d | |
| +27 | Intern Ettiquette | 4 | 1d | |
| +23 | What are hours like at BBs in London? | 47 | 1d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Honestly, training doesn't matter all that much. You'll learn everything you need to know on the desk...even if it is a very small (read: small) desk.
Good luck!
Well, it's not S&T, but M&A. Does your comment still hold? Thanks!
What small (read small) boutique investment bank is it? I need to find some boutique banks in the St. Louis area; only one I know is A.G. Edwards, which is a middle market investment bank and not really a small boutique one.
The only way to get real exp. is to get on live deals and a small shop offers that without the model monkey mantality. Go small it is the best thing out there, Greenhill, Lazzard, Blackstone, Harris Williams, the list goes on and on. As long as they are leading the M&A deal it does not matter the size of the bank
Hey, I was the second poster in this thread. 'Desk' in this instance doesn't necessarily refer to a trading desk - my bank uses the term for corpfin as well. My advice definitely still applies.
To be honest, a few of my friends who went through middle market/boutique training end up better prepared than those of us at BBs because they get substantially more attention from the senior analysts/associates who run the programs. I had to sit through Scott Rostan and AMT - good stuff but with 100+ kids in your class it's hard to get too much out of it.
haha, you had scott rostan too? did he pick on random kids in your sessions too?
Hell I went from Wedbush Morgan to Lehman Brothers I have been at both ends of the spectrum. My advice take the boutique then a year into it get the hell out!
I think boutique offers good deal exposure. I hope i can get an offer from a boutique. anything to get into banking
Can anyone comment on how much compensation at
do it for a year, then try moving into a big bank. And at a small bank, the compensation might be less, but you also work better hours(not true for some banks), and you get more exposure to deals. So a year from now you'll have much more experience than an analyst at a bigger bank.
Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...
VERY small boutiques might not get much deal flow. If you don't have deal flow, you'll just do pitches all the time, and that would make it a shitty experience and a lateral difficult. Not to mention, no business = shit bonus. If it's all you have and they have a shitty deal flow, then it might still be worth it, but it's tough to say. If it's got solid deal flow (or at least a few a year) and deals that are somewhat sophisticated (ie. not them advising delis on buying other delis), then go for it.
"To Know Me Is To Love Me"-Jebus Price
Boutique MM banks with national presence should be very competitive. I work for a prominent boutique, we have unbelievable deal flow, and the pay is very comparable to Wall Street. Bonus: 75-100% of salary. Getting great exposure to all steps of the sell-side process, and exceptional face time with my associates, VPs and MDs. Can't say I would take it over a BB position, as I have never worked for one, but I am having a terrific experience and it would take a lot to persuade me to leave.
Where can I search for Boutique MM bank internship opportunities? Are they called boutique in real world or is just this forum's term? Thanks!
Boutique is jargon... its means a small bank.
Sed vel velit quas cum libero voluptas. Excepturi at quod quasi numquam animi omnis quae. Eaque id in iure est provident aut unde.
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...