High Finance Thread

Anything is possible if you are good.

But just look at linkedin to see which is the most trodden path for the least risk (if that's what you are looking for).

If you start in buy side, you may want to work on your technicals as sometimes your PM / partner might want to do something they are familiar with (esp public markets) and you might not get to do the same kind of high precision, granular modelling (esp at a point of transaction with full transparency into many metrics). But you will be more developed in your thinking and ability to take a more differentiated view on assets, taking into industry-specific peculiarities or other factors.

Opposite for sell-side training, you probably can go in-depth into complexity and processes and most folks trust you've had the regimental training, but you don't really own your assumptions. Some sell-side folks I've interviewed build a nice-looking model but most items are just CAGRed out based on L3Y financials with no real view on why they are doing so. So building on 'buy side' thinking will be important.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi guys, undergrad here with internship stints in both sellside and buyside. Would like to ask if there is any significant disadvantage to joining buyside straight out of school? What are some considerations (exit opps/mobility/hours etc) one should note?

Understand that not many PE firms recruit fresh grads. But there are grad programs in firms such as PG and BX/BLK. Is it possible to join KKR/CVC/Ares from buyside firms?

Why would you worry about exit opps if you start in an investment role in buyside? Exiting from there just means you move into a more corporate role (non investment). I don't think is what most people here are thinking of unless you are more interested in climbing the corporate ladder than being in investments.

If you snag an ideal role with a decent buyside firm, I think the answer is really why worry. No point overthinking it unless you want to get the sell side experience which some actually do want it.

Also depends on if you have a preference of public markets and private markets. From sell side, you can switch into buyside in both private / public. I would assume grad programs if available, tend to be more public markets.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Why would you worry about exit opps if you start in an investment role in buyside? Exiting from there just means you move into a more corporate role (non investment). I don't think is what most people here are thinking of unless you are more interested in climbing the corporate ladder than being in investments.

If you snag an ideal role with a decent buyside firm, I think the answer is really why worry. No point overthinking it unless you want to get the sell side experience which some actually do want it.

Also depends on if you have a preference of public markets and private markets. From sell side, you can switch into buyside in both private / public. I would assume grad programs if available, tend to be more public markets.

I believe there are tiers in buyside as well. So I am wondering if it is possible to go from a boutique PE to a MFPE?

Does brand name (GS,JPM vs OCBC etc) matter more for FO (IB) roles than in BO (Ops) role?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Does brand name (GS,JPM vs OCBC etc) matter more for FO (IB) roles than in BO (Ops) role?

Yes 10character

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I believe there are tiers in buyside as well. So I am wondering if it is possible to go from a boutique PE to a MFPE?

Not familiar with PE, but I don't see why not. Ultimately, it boils down to your experience built, the opportunities at that time of switching, and you acing that interview.

Of course, it will be great if you start off with one of the better shops and the mobility is better from there. But nothing is there to prevent you from upgrading as long as you are starting off in a proper setup and doing the right work.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Yes 10character

lol so you're saying gs ops > ocbc ib?? bruh....

Originally Posted by Unregistered

lol so you're saying gs ops > ocbc ib?? bruh....

Dude maybe you can read the question again..

Originally Posted by Unregistered

lol so you're saying gs ops > ocbc ib?? bruh....

lmao if you in ocbc ib you'd be better off going gs ops

Originally Posted by Unregistered

lol so you're saying gs ops > ocbc ib?? bruh....

No, question was whether brand name matters more in FO than in BO.

For FO - in GS/ JPM / MS FO you can earn double / triple of what local banks FO earns.

In BO - i think there is not much difference, but heard that local banks pay higher bonuses to non-FO people compared to in BB banks. SO if you're in BO then brand name might not be so important.

In any case if you are in BO you can lead a life of mediocrity, which isn't bad - stable but just won't be able to lead the high life.

If question was whether OCBC IB vs GS BO, then I will take OCBC IB and try to move to BB IB - which is easier than moving from GS Ops to GS IB. (but still ****ing difficult)