Wells Fargo vs. Tech Boutique (think Union Square/GCA/FT Partners)

Would love to hear people's thoughts on the comparison between Wells Fargo IB (platform offer - all divisions and locations) vs. a small tech boutique (think USA/GCA/FTP in NY office) for SA position.


Here's what's important to me:

  • Learning experience & responsibility
  • Potential to re-recruit for full time at BB or EB
  • Exit ops - preferable PE or lateral, and the more optionality the better
  • Getting experience in tech/TMT (whether at SA stage or later on)
  • Culture

Thank you so much for sharing. This community has been incredibly helpful throughout recruiting.

 

Can you extrapolate a bit? I'm going to be chatting with them soon (summer assoc role) and want to get a sense of how to approach this with them.

 

Yeah I've heard of that pay for interns, but I think learning experience and future opportunities are more important than summer comp to me. If summer comp was the same, what would you say?

 

if you are 100% sure you want to do software take USA/GCA

if you are 100% sure you wanna do fintech take FTP

if you arn't then take Wells (bigger and louder brand, but the aforementioned are stronger in their niches)

 
Most Helpful

TMT WF here, I've had a good experience. Working on a few different live sell-sides, closed an IPO, SPAC sell side, etc. Comp is solid too and I've gotten looks at MM PE / growth equity / LS equity HF's. Solid experience all around - I'm sure it's better from an exits / deal flow perspective at a higher ranked shop, but I'm happy enough that I'm staying the full analyst program before leaving. Culture is good too. Banking is banking, so you will get worked, but that comes with the territory. 

One major upside in this environment is job stability at a large bank. I've heard great things about GCA though and recruited there while in undergrad. They recently did the Luminar sale to a SPAC, which was a pretty big deal. 

Can't speak for FTP other than I know one guy who absolutely hated it there, but it seems like you develop a deep industry expertise within fintech. 

Personally, I'd focus on the firm that develops the best technical skills / exposure to software, as that's where much of the tech investing activity is. 

 

Thank you for the informative comment. I just received an offer at Wells, and was curious if you'd be able to PM me to chat about your experience a little more?

 

Dolores vitae in eos distinctio voluptatem amet. Libero ea minima velit officiis officia quia. Omnis et voluptas omnis expedita ipsam molestiae hic. Et in aliquam aut voluptas dolor aliquid.

Quaerat nam labore veritatis consequatur esse. Magnam quia nulla illum. Similique aut vel perspiciatis eveniet. Recusandae totam esse molestiae consequatur. Consequatur voluptatem sit aliquid eos deserunt.

Autem illo in sed corporis. Vitae doloremque tenetur iusto qui earum ut.

Nobis hic doloribus est dolor inventore. Soluta at est dignissimos quidem aspernatur autem eos. Dicta quia vel enim quae quam. Commodi tenetur modi eos et. Sapiente omnis quas fuga iure. Sit a dolores quam ut hic esse dolor.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”