Why BAML

jaschen27:

3% cash back on gas

i lol'd

http://www.euromoney.com/default.aspx good place too look, their awards can often times give you a lead Can use the big balance sheet argument or BOA + ST expertise of ML but this is gonna be played out

The answer that worked the best when i was interviewing was to say how I knew someone who worked there and they told me the culture was great etc. Dont use this if you dont know anyone tho.

Tell them you don't believe in what the wikileaks cables are saying. Just kidding.

Size of the firm, league tables & awards, recent deals, people you've met through out the process are all good ideas. Don't stress it too much - this usually isn't an important question. As long as you have an answer that reflects your ability to do some supplementary research you will be fine.

because i'm second-rate; kidding lol

woahhh hahah

I would not include data from the league tables in an interview. It will inevitably come off the wrong way. To answer the question, talk about the synergies resulting from the merger of BofA and Merrill Lynch. While many banks are restructuring following FinReg, BofA ML is gaining momentum by the merger of Merrill's brokerage base with BofA's balance sheet.

Have you talked with anyone at the firm? League table info is good for regurgitating, but if you want a real reason for why you want to work their it's best to look at the culture (that's what I did and I can say that I found a group that fits really well with my personality and interests). Any info a person at the firm can give you trumps a few numbers you can rifle off about global M&A.

I have talked to people at the firm. I have a few things to say but I'm not too sure if those answers are good enough.

Does anyone know what kind of questions they ask during their superday? is it mostly fit or technical?

Thanks for the help.

Any comments would be nice!

fitfitfitfit

i'd agree with afalcon that the interviews were focused a bit more on fit than technical, but make sure you don't go in there thinking it will be easy... i had a few interviews that got fairly technical... be prepared for everything and you'll be fine... also, some product groups like M&A or Lev Fin will be more technical so if you ranked those as choices be prepared

First of all, ML has a tremendous brand name. Traditionally seen as the top 3 in investment banking.

Culture - Melting pot of cultures. You don't feel the need to conform. Meritocratic culture that rewards excellence. Diversity is also highly valued in ML.

People - Smart people who are not arrogant. People whom you want to work with. Very supportive senior management.

Hope this helps.

At the end of the day, no matter what league tables might end up saying, GS is still the big swinging d*ck. That's why.

need some contructive points regarding Goldman... guess we reuse some of the points from ML post above?

good luck with m&a for GS TMT...

I would say that for GS, the greatest selling point about it is that the firm is the point of reference for all other investment banks - top firm in its field undoubtedly.

GS culture of excellence and success is demonstrated via #1 league table rankings (M&A/IPO), and its winning ability to secure high profile mandates. The concept of 'team work' is taken to a whole new level in GS - A value that drives the firm.

They both underpay too.

GS great brand ML great pay!

how about one of the following:

ur the only hiring so far ur the only one that gave me an interview i like the european (american) banks better than the american (european) ones

I love life with no job/financial security. I want to get paid 0 bonus for working harder and longer than other people getting paid similar base. Because I hate myself.

This question is meant to probe and see how much interest you've really taken in the bank: if you answer with 1. "culture" or 2. "league tables", it shows you haven't dug in deeper.

What I mean is, you haven't spoken to alumni at the bank, made connections during information sessions with analysts currently working their, nor reached out to any of them for advice.

The best answers can be put together in succession with a little name dropping, imo:

"So-and-so talked with me about how the MDs bring in microbrews at the end of each week"

"Alumni 1 walked me through how he was involved with X deal that closed last year and HOW he had more responsibility than his roomates at other banks"

These things not only show that you've done your hw and made a conscious effort to explore life at the bank, but they show you realize that everyone always says "it's our culture" when you ask them in 10 seconds to describe what's good about their bank. Dig a little deeper, use specific examples. That is the best way to answer those questions.

..............have you ever thought about going to the websites first? These types of questions are really just asking if you prepared for the interview or not. Just read the marketing crap they have up.

LB ML ARE GONE

GS AND MS ARENT HIRING

OK GL

you guys are a waste of time. of COURSE Ive gone to the website. have YOU seen how everybank puts the same crap about strenghts and execution. I'm looking for someone with inside knowledge of execution capabilities. if you don't understand the nature of my question, dont waste my time.