What can you tell me about Wachovia and Barclays?

Hello! I was just wondering about Wachovia securities & Barclays and would like to know how these two banks stack up with other banks on the street. (Reputation) How are the exit ops from them? How would you rank them and how do you see their future? What are their cultures of these two banks like? Thanks in advance. Kind regards.

 
alstmdrll:
Wachovia: If you have another offer, take that one and run.

Barclays: respected DCM. Not a whole lot of M&A

Wow, didn't know the reputation of wachovia was that bad. Thanks alstmdrll for replying. Just curious, but can you tell me why you feel that way about wachovia. Can you or anyone tell me more about wachovia besides it reputation. (culture, exit ops, and etc)

What more can you tell me about Barclays. How does Wachovia and Barclays compare with Bank of America. (BofA)

Thanks again.

 
Best Response

I have a buddy that just accepted a position in Wachovia leveraged finance. In general their leveraged finance group is very strong and quickly gaining ground on BofA, JPM, and Citigroup. They are passing up alot of middle market opportunities (due to their limited resources) to focus on large cap work for some top PE shops. Clearly...Wachovia's objective is to move away from the middle market over the next couple of years with the end goal of being competitive at the bulge level. Personally, I believe they will become a top tier firm because of (a) their balance sheet, and (b) their aggresive culture.

That said, I've heard Wachovia is a VERY difficult place to work. The leveraged finance group is cut throat competitive. Senior bankers are extremely demanding of analysts and associates. They do not tolerate mistakes and have significant expectations. My buddy says he basically has to look over his shoulder every day. In general, it's a gloomy environment. However, pay is supposedly on par with the larger shops.

 
Monopolisf:
I have a buddy that just accepted a position in Wachovia leveraged finance. In general their leveraged finance group is very strong and quickly gaining ground on BofA, JPM, and Citigroup. They are passing up alot of middle market opportunities (due to their limited resources) to focus on large cap work for some top PE shops. Clearly...Wachovia's objective is to move away from the middle market over the next couple of years with the end goal of being competitive at the bulge level. Personally, I believe they will become a top tier firm because of (a) their balance sheet, and (b) their aggresive culture.

That said, I've heard Wachovia is a VERY difficult place to work. The leveraged finance group is cut throat competitive. Senior bankers are extremely demanding of analysts and associates. They do not tolerate mistakes and have significant expectations. My buddy says he basically has to look over his shoulder every day. In general, it's a gloomy environment. However, pay is supposedly on par with the larger shops.

you mean YOU just accepted a position there.

 

I'll be working at Barclays Capital in London. Great firm, the people are amazing and they treat their analysts really well because they are growing and trying to retain talent. In Europe Barcap is an FI monster. In the past year it has won European Bond House of the Decade (crazy b/c it was founded in 1997), Best Foreign Exchange House, Commodities House of the Year, etc.

 

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