High Finance Thread

Originally Posted by Unregistered

For OP, if I'm in a top-tier BB in Singapore IBD ranking (so JPM/MS/CS), what kind of shops should I be looking to recruit on buy side apart from BX/KKR etc?

Will GIC be a good exit? Heard the pay is roughly the same but better hours

Think its decent but not the best. Culture can be bad, though maybe more on the public side.

Warburg pincus?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

For OP, if I'm in a top-tier BB in Singapore IBD ranking (so JPM/MS/CS), what kind of shops should I be looking to recruit on buy side apart from BX/KKR etc?

Will GIC be a good exit? Heard the pay is roughly the same but better hours

What kinds of transactions or investments do you want to work on?

Public markets, private markets, equity, credit, buyouts, growth, early stage, large-cap companies, mid-mkt companies etc.

GIC/Temasek don't pay the same as the others you mentioned if you factor in bonuses and carry but it's certainly a fit for the more risk averse.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Not sure if an M7 MBA is optimal for OP at this point, given the cost and time commitment required.

These programs usually takes at least a year to complete (at least 2 years from now since recruitment for the upcoming intake is over) and are really expensive (>USD100K), not to mention that entry are insanely competitive (flooded with MBB Consultants, BB IB Analysts, F50 MAs etc). To be considered one would need to possess nothing less than an exceptional professional background and a high GMAT/GRE score, which will likely require a significant amount of time to study for as well.

An MBA isn't really useful for ER/HF and would be more appropriate for IB/PE. An MFin at a local university like SMU seems a viable option though, given its lower entry requirements and significantly lower fees (~SGD40K). However, you would have to prepare for the GMAT/GRE still and the course duration is also similar (1-2 years).

Networking and persistence are really key here. I would suggest looking at boutique funds and contacting the relevant personnel (more senior staff like managers/senior analysts), asking them if they are willing to meet up for coffee chats or informal interviews. Of course, you need to be very well-prepared for any questions and demonstrate interest (CFA, technical knowledge) for them to consider you as a potential hire.

Just my 2 cents.

Local MFin? lol, terrible advice

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Local MFin? lol, terrible advice

My point was that if you have to pick between a M7 MBA and MFin, MFin would be a more viable option for OP given his age and professional background, due to reasons which i have emphasized in my original post.

The key to breaking in will be to network and demonstrate serious interest by developing relevant skills and taking relevant certifications (ie CFA). A local MFin is a simply another value-add to the part of displaying interest. The main advantage of a local program is that it allows for geographical flexibility, easier for physical meet-ups or interviews, which would greatly facilitate the networking process.

It is almost impossible to break into larger or midsize funds/banks/IM companies for OP at this point, M7 MBA or MFin regardless. Best bet would be boutique shops in which an M7 MBA/overseas MFin does not really hold any significant advantage over a local MFin and might even count against a candidate.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

My point was that if you have to pick between a M7 MBA and MFin, MFin would be a more viable option for OP given his age and professional background, due to reasons which i have emphasized in my original post.

The key to breaking in will be to network and demonstrate serious interest by developing relevant skills and taking relevant certifications (ie CFA). A local MFin is a simply another value-add to the part of displaying interest. The main advantage of a local program is that it allows for geographical flexibility, easier for physical meet-ups or interviews, which would greatly facilitate the networking process.

It is almost impossible to break into larger or midsize funds/banks/IM companies for OP at this point, M7 MBA or MFin regardless. Best bet would be boutique shops in which an M7 MBA/overseas MFin does not really hold any significant advantage over a local MFin and might even count against a candidate.

I think the mistake you are making here is ignoring the option of just not doing either. Whereas an m7 mba or elite mfin undoubtedly has tremendous value but still may not justify the cost/opportunity cost, a local mfin has almost none in the context of getting into these roles.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I think the mistake you are making here is ignoring the option of just not doing either. Whereas an m7 mba or elite mfin undoubtedly has tremendous value but still may not justify the cost/opportunity cost, a local mfin has almost none in the context of getting into these roles.

I did consider it when i said these degrees are after all just complements or value-adds to networking and showing interest, which should be the priorities for OP.

At least for ER, there isn't much value to begin with even without factoring in the associated costs. Nobody is going to hire someone, be it for FT or interns, because they have an M7 MBA or elite MFin. The MBA or MFin don't matter to ER employers nearly (if at all i may say) as much as they do in IB/PE, so prestige alone does not really matter. The industry is also too small and competitive with so many well-qualified candidates with the relevant skills and knowledge.

The only significant value that they would offer would be opportunities to recruit for internships, something that a local MFin can offer as well. Networking and showing interest would still be key, be it for internships or FT, local or M7.

Hope I’m not going too off tangent here

How good must one’s math be?

I have a local uni acc degree, and am pending CFA level 2 exam results
Still find some of the math difficult

Was H1 math in JC

Originally Posted by Unregistered

What kinds of transactions or investments do you want to work on?

Public markets, private markets, equity, credit, buyouts, growth, early stage, large-cap companies, mid-mkt companies etc.

GIC/Temasek don't pay the same as the others you mentioned if you factor in bonuses and carry but it's certainly a fit for the more risk averse.

Leaning more towards private markets or real estate actually. What kind of firms for the latter?

Was looking at GPs like Campbell Lutyens...wonder how much do they pay. Though still very small outfit for these fundraising firms in sg

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hope I’m not going too off tangent here

How good must one’s math be?

I have a local uni acc degree, and am pending CFA level 2 exam results
Still find some of the math difficult

Was H1 math in JC

dosen't matter. all calculations done on excel.

unless you in s&t then maybe you need to have a good grasp of certain concepts

Seeking suggestions/advice on how to enter bulge IB after doing PE? Want to try IB because I feel that the bulge brand name, exposure and structure could be helpful in the long run