Transferring from US to HK

yup. it's easy to transfer provided you know the language. you need a language interview. that said, with the markets picking up a lot faster in Asia, it is getting increasingly difficult.

that aside, i think 90% you will like Hong kong better than New York. It's must a funner city to be in.

hold on: you picked a MM boutique firm over a BB in Hong Kong? Bro, not sure that was the right move man. also the equation changes if it is a boutique firm. Boutiques definitely do not have a big presence in Asia. Not sure how easy it would be to transfer in that case.

Yeah, i know the language , and was tested on it a lot during my FT interviews.

And yes, I picked the MM boutique over a BB in HK because I am not 100% sure when I will be transitioning into HK and I personally think the MM experience would be good.

I am not thinking so much of the internal transfer. More like applying to the bank again as a 2nd year analyst.

Also, do you think it's good if I keep up with the contacts I have now and contact them once I am ready since I received offers from there?

Thanks a lot for the help

It's actually a pretty good choice. PJS is not but HLHZ and HW would be good choices over HK since it is almost impossible to go from asia to U.S. and you are pretty much pigeonholed in asia.

I don't know anything about HK, but here is my take: I haven't heard any firsthand experiences about anyone overseas trying to return to the U.S. It's possible that they like being overseas better, in fact I know of a few NY bankers that went to HK and are still there.

It's not at all impossible to go from Asia to the US, especially at a large BB. And even besides that, a lot of HK BB'ers eventually return to the States for Business school. Although not "unique" in a traditional sense, working at a bulge bracket investment bank in the fastest growing region in the world is a "unique experience" and easier to spin. The total incoming BB class at all BB's combined in HK is less than 150-200. That's like what 1 or 2 banks alone hire in New York. You do the math. And after BSchool, you can pretty much go whereever you want (NY or HK). And oh yeah, direct promotes to associate are very easy as long as you don't phuck up.

And most bankers like HK better than NY. It just caters to a banker's hedonistic needs better.

Thanks for all the comments. Anyone else?

Not impossible but hard. Asia is a known pidgeonhole for BB's.

Oh no, I meant from a reputable MM to Asia BB.

Asia is not so much a pigeonhole as that not many people want to leave lately ... because business is pretty good lately. I've had many people in my group transfer to the U.S. and vice versa.

If you're good at what you do - geography is not an issue - especially if you know the language.

You probably should have taken the job at a BB in Asia ... IBD experience in Asia at a BB is quite a full experience unless this is an on-shore job like beijing IBD then U.S. experience will help.

Fact is, 3-5 years ago, Asia was still building up but lots of these places have accrued a critical-mass that your experience will be quite well-rounded in Asia.

pokersliar you are so full of shit just stop please.

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1styrbanker, what I want you to do is save this thread. In around 10 to 15 years, open it and read some of the "bullshit" comments about Asia and China. Also, i'm willing to wager you've never been to HK before. I've never met a single banker that has worked in both HK and NY say that they enjoy NY better than HK. Anyway, I agree. IMO, shouldve definitely taken the tier 1 BB. FYI, Morgan stanleys HK offices in the new ICC are it's most expensive and luxurious ones in the world. GS, DB, and CS will also all be moving into the ICC.

It's funny these kids are still harboring views from 3-5 years ago haha. Like I said, talk to any staffer in NY .. NOT A SINGLE person has wanted to transfer from HK to US other than for maybe family but plenty of people in US want to transfer to HK ... for both money as well as deal flow. In the old days, there was no structure or support in Asia so everything was kinda make it up as you go but these days, HK is the place to be. As IBHopeful said, CS, DB will be joining MS into ICC (not GS though, they will stay in Cheung Keong) and places like DB are making 1/2 of their global revenue in Asia

By the way, AIA's IPO US$10-20BN will be the biggest ever IPO coming out of Asia. The top 10 IPOs globally this year are mostly out of Asia .... so think again before you trash Asia

As for M&A, Chinese companies have a buttload of cash and they will continue to drive the M&A activity

thx for all the comments guy. Just curious, if I want to lateral during my 2nd year, does anyone know the process? Thx

There's no real set process - keep in touch with those recruiters you spoke to before and when time comes - send them a note and tell them you want to move

deleted, sorry double post

I'm surprised that so many people are looking to transfer to HK. Is this true for the buyside as well ? I had a few inquires from HK hedge funds but passed on them because I wasn't sure I wanted to leave NY for HK mostly for lifestyle reasons..but it seems like a lot of kids really like the place.

Can we get poker banned yet? He's been spamming these boards the past week like crazy, even responding to his own posts.

^You should be the one banned, you just created this account to troll. Stop spamming the boards please, all of you.

4.0 partner from MIT account created 1 hour 5 min ago. LOL that's real credible bro. What's more pathetic is the amount of time you devote to your posts, usually the trolls just give 1-2 sentences but not you. You write like a 12 year old asian kid.

BBMMBoutique, for someone that has been a member for a total of 1 hour and 4 minutes, you sure do talk a lot of trash. Why don't you try constructively contributing to this board.

@SAC, regarding Hong Kong:

I don't think the lifestyle is "better". It's a little like comparing apples and oranges. I'll quickly run through some of the stuff I liked about HK (I'm currently in NY).

1) Infrastucture, I would say Hong Kong is the clear winner. The subways are immaculate and super convenient compared to NYC ones. You've never seen what subways ought to look like until you've been in Tokyo/HongKong/Shanghai. Buses are also a popular option- kind of like a modern version of UK double deckers. HK International Airport consistently ranks in the top 1 or 2 in the world (along with Singapore).

2) Location. Hong Kong is conveniently located in such a way that it'll take you less than 3 hours to pretty much reach any popular tourist destination in Asia (Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Thailand, Philipines, Singapore etc. etc.) You'll be doing a lot of traveling at a HK BB because HK is the hub for the entire region (not just China). Oh also, Macau (gambling capital of the world) is a one hour ferry ride away, 17 minute helicopter ride.

3) Environment. HK is crowded and dense. It has more skyscrapers than NYC does, and at any given time most of the population is above the 14th floor. However, with that said only 25% of the land is developed. 75% are natural habitats with moutains (Victoria's Peak... one of the best view in the world ), beaches, everything.

4) Fun. Luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, night clubs (infamous Lan Kwai fang...) are everywhere. Definitely a city for the rich and the hedonistic. Tons of expats in the Central area and english is understood everywhere (except some of the really local places).

With that said, there are only some things you will find in NYC that you can't find in HK. Namely, "culture". NYC is home to some of the greatest museums in the world, some of the best sports teams, jazz lounges etc. Those are the things that you won't find in HK. Instead, HK is defined by a "shopping" culture. Everyone has a designer bag, a designer shoe, goes to eat at high-end restaurants etc. etc. In my opinion, it's the biggest draw-back. Put it simply, if Satan had to design a city with all the elements of sin that bring out the lust and greed in men- it'd be Hong Kong.

Another issue is this: . With recent developments in London, it is very conceivable that within 10 years, Shanghai will be #2 in the world. There is a sense that Hong Kong MAY lose its importance in the next few decades. By the same token, Shanghai and China in general will be where you may find tremendous opportunities in the future provided you have the necessary skill sets (some understanding of the language and culture). HTH.

guess what, I've actually been a member of the board longer than ibhopeful532 and boutiquebank4life just not on this username

i know you all quite well believe me and know most of the older beasts on here

and obviously the mit and 4.0 and partner is bogus who cares, but i am not, i also said i make 1mm base and 1mm bonus because it was the fastest way to make an account so what and if you want to post your real self on here, i'll wait for your post of your picture and resume (still waiting)

you think because someone has 267 points and is an Orangutan they have credibility and if some dope sits around posting 20 things for 15 days that person a ton of credibility

and 1 hr and 40 minutes or 2 years and 40 minutes does not matter, what matters is the accuracy and calling people out is my business and if you want to be my target just let me know as i'm happy to add you to that list and know a few others on here that would love to have such a relationship with people like you

check out these posers posts and seriously judge for yourself as my posts are totally on the money and honestly yours are not

serioulsy now go take a look at these losers posts and help me help you

^Rage more buddy, unfortunately you still type like an autistic 5 year old. Let me guess, you are Dan Bush.

^no clue what you are talking about and i'm glad you at least read it or i hope you did

i'm all for keeping time wasters off these boards and have been anounted to do so

that is my only goal and unfortunately i will have to wast time but in the end it helps us all

you can help too and sorry if i look like "one of them" but trust me I am not

^^ Dan Bush was a guy who pretended to be a MD or something at a BB. But people realized he's just some douchey college kid pretending when real bankers pointed out his posts weren't legit. People who have been on this site in the last 3 years would know this.

"Put it simply, if Satan had to design a city with all the elements of sin that bring out the lust and greed in men- it'd be Hong Kong."

Haha... I didn't think about it that way; nicely put ibhopeful. I'd say tokyo instead... cause you know, they're cool with some crazy fetish sh-t.

Mmm, I was about to shelve a trip to HK for time constraints, but if you describe it that way, maybe 2 weeks is enough for a semi-decent SE asia trip... haha.

pokersliar: You mention Chinese M&A. While definitely true, Chinese companies don't use bankers for domestic deals. As such, Asia groups tend to be more coverage and...ECM, heh.

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no one is saying ecm doesn't have deals, we just know that real bankers > ecm since u guys are inferior and dont do anything but a middleman between IBD and S&T.

@ibhopeful532

Thanks for the comparison. Sounds like it is definitely more appealing than other places in Asia due to English being so widely spoken.

Ah I'm not ragging on ECM pokersliar, I just added the emphasis for amusing effect given how much grief others give you. ECM/DCM is definitely an important part in the banking package no doubt. As regards exit opps, unlike half the monkeys on this board I'm willing to say "I don't know" and leave it at that.

^^ Fair enough :D Cheers

ps - i can tell others from first hand experience exit to HF is def doable

Thanks for all the comments guys. I guess I will keep in contact with the bankers i had contacts with and see if I can possibly transfer next year