Best boutique investment banks
Bigger is not always better when it comes to picking the right investment bank to work for.
The good news is that there is tremendous diversity among the boutique firms whether you see yourself working for a bank with a couple thousand employees or one with less than 100. Each has something unique to offer and has benefits worth considering in your job search.
To help break down the facts on what makes the best of the best, here is a special Ivy Exec spotlight on the top boutique investment banks in our ranking.
With 1, 000 employees in offices across 11 countries, Evercore unites the best aspects of working for a boutique firm with the array of options more typically available at its far larger counterparts. With a strong commitment to operating with the utmost independence from conflicts of interest, Evercore specializes in investment banking and management. Employees at the firm agree that Evercore is delivering on its bold mission statement and 88% of them support the current leadership. Evercore’s leadership received particularly high praise for being savvy about the company’s business. The firm also scored strong marks from employees for providing them with a steady stream of intellectually stimulating work.
“Love the corporate culture, professionalism and pride, ” a current managing director tells Ivy Exec. “[I] would not change a thing.”
However, other employees would change at least one thing: the company’s challenge with promoting an effective work-life balance.
“Zero work-life balance at all levels, ” a former vice president says.
Given this criticism, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the firm received low scores for providing adequate flex time and telecommuting opportunities. But even with this challenge, employees still praise the corporate culture and were happy to have excellent transaction exposure.
Duff & Phelps provides its clients with top-notch insight into valuation, regulatory matters and corporate finance. The firm has also acted as a trusted consultant in setting standards and best practices for the industry. With 2, 000 employees in 20 countries across the globe, the firm is large enough to provide a wide range of geographic options to its employees. In terms of benefits, employees rank Duff & Phelps with particularly high marks for valuing their well being not just as professionals but as people. The firm scored especially well in the areas of providing flex time and additional maternity or paternity leave.
