Why is Nobody Talking About Silicon Valley Bank?

Hi there WSO community.

I've been a long time reader of this forum but post very rarely. In my time perusing the forum, I've seen little or no attention payed to Silicon Valley Bank, a high-tech commercial bank whose main clients are startups. I'm also aware that this post may not belong on this forum, but there legitimately wasn't a better option, which is part of the reason for my post -- i'd like to bring some exposure to bank and show some of these younger readers that there are some extraordinary places to work outside of BB IBD, that also prepare you for highly lucrative careers.

The bank manages several PE and VC portfolios, acts as an Investment Bank and has a private banking operation for UHNW individuals. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, that they run an Associate Development Program for college grads that employs classes of 20 kids twice a year at their Boston and Palo Alto offices. From what I understand, the program is extremely robust and those who complete it go on to do great work at SVB or transition to VC's or startup clients. The stock price is up 30% in the past month following an earnings report that blew away expectations. The firm also bumped up the salary of those in the Associate Development Program from 62k to 80k base and 10-15% bonus based on performance, following the jump in stock price.

I would urge those of you who are in the middle of the job search to do some research on the bank and the program and see if it is of any interest. Also, if anyone has any experience with the bank I would love to hear your thoughts, as well as perhaps begin a dialogue that explores why exactly we see such minimal conversation dedicated to banks like this.

To clarify, I'm not the head of HR at SVB trying to attract more applicants, just a guy who wants to show some of the younger readers that there are more opportunities out there than this forum may allude to.

 

chimpchaser12, shame nobody has responded. Maybe one of these topics will help:

If we're lucky, the following users may have something to say: iatetheskipper Shuman Anand-Pherwani

I hope those threads give you a bit more insight.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

That's very interesting - I guess they are expanding. For what it's worth, I spoke to someone who started in the associates program and has been since for fiveish years and has moved around locations / groups. She's been pretty happy. The salary was a little low for the program, but heard they just bumped it up this year.

I've noticed for the people they recruited from my alma mater, they took people who had a genuine interest in learning / curiosity about academics (not your typical econ major) if that makes sense. I received many interviews / superdays at BBs and did not receive even a first round there.

Would be curious if anyone had any insight. Places like these seem like a great alternative to banking as well as post banking if you're burnt out.

 
Most Helpful
chimpchaser12:
Hi there WSO community.

I've been a long time reader of this forum but post very rarely. In my time perusing the forum, I've seen little or no attention payed to Silicon Valley Bank, a high-tech commercial bank whose main clients are startups. I'm also aware that this post may not belong on this forum, but there legitimately wasn't a better option, which is part of the reason for my post -- i'd like to bring some exposure to bank and show some of these younger readers that there are some extraordinary places to work outside of BB IBD, that also prepare you for highly lucrative careers.

The bank manages several PE and VC portfolios, acts as an Investment Bank and has a private banking operation for UHNW individuals. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, that they run an Associate Development Program for college grads that employs classes of 20 kids twice a year at their Boston and Palo Alto offices. From what I understand, the program is extremely robust and those who complete it go on to do great work at SVB or transition to VC's or startup clients. The stock price is up 30% in the past month following an earnings report that blew away expectations. The firm also bumped up the salary of those in the Associate Development Program from 62k to 80k base and 10-15% bonus based on performance, following the jump in stock price.

I would urge those of you who are in the middle of the job search to do some research on the bank and the program and see if it is of any interest. Also, if anyone has any experience with the bank I would love to hear your thoughts, as well as perhaps begin a dialogue that explores why exactly we see such minimal conversation dedicated to banks like this.

To clarify, I'm not the head of HR at SVB trying to attract more applicants, just a guy who wants to show some of the younger readers that there are more opportunities out there than this forum may allude to.

That is inaccurate. SVB didn't have IB until the acquisition of Leerink. It shut down its IB, SVB Alliant in 2007.

 

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