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Most Prestigious Banking Firms
Banking professionals across the nation rank the prestige of the firms that they compete against.
#1
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Goldman Sachs is widely known as the most prestigious investment bank on Wall Street. The bank’s interns receive phenomenal training, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to rotate across many groups and desks. Junior staff receive extensive training and mentoring opportunities—senior professionals are always willing to help juniors grow.
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SCORE 8.984
2020 Ranking #1
#2
Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley is one of the most highly respected financial institutions in the world. Its name on your resume will open doors throughout your career. Morgan Stanley is a global leader in M&A, IPO underwriting, investment management, and wealth management. It's also passionate about philanthropic efforts, especially when it comes to assisting children and those in dire financial need. Recently, the firm made great strides when it comes to creating a more diverse workforce.
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SCORE 8.410
2020 Ranking #2
#3
J.P. Morgan
J.P. Morgan is one of the top banking firms to work for in the world. Its highly respected internship program provides students with substantial hands-on experience and the ability to interact with clients and senior bankers. Full-time staff receive strong formal and informal training, plenty of mentoring opportunities, and internal mobility options.
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SCORE 8.220
2020 Ranking #3
#4
Evercore
Evercore is one of the world’s top M&A and restructuring advisors. It regularly works on massive high-profile investment banking deals for clients such as GE, Fubo, and Verizon. The firm offers phenomenal training and senior-banker exposure to interns and junior bankers. And it's very focused on creating an inclusive culture. It has active and effective networking groups for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, traditionally underrepresented minorities, and veterans.
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SCORE 7.690
2020 Ranking #4
#5
Centerview Partners
Centerview is one of Wall Street's most highly respected M&A advisory firms. It's known for working on high-profile deals for clients like CBS, CVS Health, and Time Warner. Centerview is also known for compensating its people very well. Salaries and bonuses are top-notch, medical benefits are excellent, and it offers many other perks like free breakfast, catered lunches, and large dinner stipends. Recently, the firm made a huge push to improve its diversity recruiting efforts.
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SCORE 7.396
2020 Ranking #5
#6
Lazard
Lazard is one of the world’s most prestigious investment banking firms. Its well-known M&A group has advised on some of the largest, most complex M&A deals of the past 100 years. Lazard’s excellent internship program allows interns to work on live deals alongside senior bankers and clients. Lazard excels at mentorship and individual development, giving its full-time bankers clear guidance on their strengths and areas for development. Lean deal teams offer a lot of responsibility.
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SCORE 7.154
2020 Ranking #6
#7
Moelis & Company
Moelis is a top investment bank that offers strategic advice to clients across the world. Founded and still led by superstar banker Ken Moeils, the firm is committed to creating an inclusive culture and a workforce that’s representative of its diverse range of clients. The firm has networking groups for Asian, Black, Latino and Hispanic, women, LGBTQ+, and veteran employees. It also has a growing CSR program that supports more than 40 nonprofits.
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SCORE 6.747
2020 Ranking #7
#8
PJT Partners
A prestigious independent investment banking firm, PJT Partners offers its interns a lot of responsibility and the opportunity to work on high-profile live deals alongside senior bankers. Full-time junior bankers get a lot of responsibility on deals, work closely with seniors bankers, and participate in client calls. Recently, the firm significantly increased its philanthropy and CSR efforts, and started giving diversity scholarships.
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SCORE 6.600
2020 Ranking #10
#9
Bank of America Corp.
BofA is one of the world’s largest and most highly respected financial institutions. It's also one of the world's most socially-conscious financial firms. Its Ally program for LGBTQ+ colleagues allows volunteers to take part in open dialogue, and it has active programs designed for many other underserved groups, including women, minorities, and veterans. Also, BofA's CEO is head of the World Economic Forum Business Council that’s working to set ESG measurement standards.
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SCORE 6.578
2020 Ranking #8
#10
Credit Suisse
Credit Suisse is one of the most prestigious investment banks in the world. Its interns receive extensive hands-on training and work alongside senior bankers. Full-time employees have access to top-notch training programs, mentoring opportunities, and internal mobility options. The culture is collaborative, and a healthy work/life balance can be achieved.
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SCORE 6.394
2020 Ranking #9
#11
Barclays Investment Bank (Americas)
Barclays is one of the most influential banks on Wall Street. It’s part of the investment banking bulge bracket, and has major M&A, equity, and debt units, which regularly work on landmark deals. It also has strong retail banking and wealth management units, and serves 48 million clients worldwide. The firm champions inclusion, innovation, sustainability, and “citizenship”—giving back through volunteering.
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SCORE 6.314
2020 Ranking #12
#12
Perella Weinberg Partners
Perella Weinberg is a prestigious independent investment banking that works on high-profile deals for clients like PayPal, Kraft Heinz, and T-Mobile. Its interns get an incredible amount of responsibility and hands-on experience, working on live deals with senior bankers and clients. The firm is committed to diversity, and has extensive D&I training programs.
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SCORE 6.234
2020 Ranking #11
#13
SCORE 6.059
2020 Ranking #15
#14
Guggenheim Securities
Guggenheim Securities provides advisory, sales and trading, research, and financing services. Recent clients include IBM, Disney, Pfizer, and Verizon. The firm's interns get a lot of responsibility, live deal experience, and experience across various industries and products. Even the most junior bankers get significant access to senior leadership and clients.
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SCORE 6.013
2020 Ranking #14
#15
Greenhill & Co
Greenhill is a leading M&A advisory firm that cares about giving its interns a strong learning experience. Interns work on live deals alongside clients and senior bankers. Full-time junior bankers work on lean deal teams, getting extraordinary responsibility and close interaction with senior bankers. At Greenhill, the people are polite, kind, helpful, and supportive.
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SCORE 5.933
2020 Ranking #13
#16
Jefferies
Jefferies is a highly respected financial institution with industry-leading investment banking and capital markets units. It's been named one of the "World’s Most Admired Companies" by Fortune, and it's very focused on D&I. It has active networking groups for employees of Asian heritage, Black and Latino employees, LGBTQ+ individuals, and veterans.
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SCORE 5.916
2020 Ranking #17
#17
Rothschild
Rothschild is one of the world’s most prestigious investment banks—and well-known names in finance. It has a 200-year-old European heritage and a formidable M&A unit. The firm regularly wins bank-of-the-year awards, singled out for its “sheer scale that rivals can’t match.” Rothschild places a unique focus on cultivating the individuality of its people, helping them reach their potential.
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SCORE 5.724
2020 Ranking #16
#19
Qatalyst Partners
Founded by three former Credit Suisse bankers, Qatalyst specializes in providing M&A and strategic advisory services to established and new tech companies. Its clients have included Slack, Intuit, FitBit, Google, and LinkedIn. Qatalyst supports numerous nonprofiits, including Teach for America, the ACLU, the Equal Justice Initiative, and Unicef.
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SCORE 5.500
2020 Ranking #19
#20
Houlihan Lokey
Houlihan Lokey has leading M&A and restructuring groups. Its interns get a lot of live deal experience and top-notch training, and its full-time bankers get a ton of responsibility, the ability to pave their own paths, and schedule flexibility. Diversity is a strong suit, and there are many opportunities to volunteer and contribute on a matched basis.
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SCORE 5.477
2020 Ranking #20
#21
Allen & Company LLC
Allen & Company is a low-profile banking boutique that works on high-profile deals. A private firm without a website, Allen & Co. has closed deals for Google, Twitter, Facebook, Activision, eBay, Verizon, and Time Warner. The bank is also known for its annual star-studded Sun Valley conference, attended by the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, LeBron James, and Oprah Winfrey.
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SCORE 5.220
2020 Ranking #21
#22
RBC Capital Markets
RBC Capital Markets is widely considered to be the top investment bank in Canada, and it's a growing bank in the U.S. Interns get live deal experience while working alongside senior bankers. Full-timers get extensive training and mentoring, and the ability to work internationally. The culture is supportive and friendly, and a good work/life balance can be achieved.
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SCORE 5.008
2020 Ranking #22
#23
William Blair
William Blair is a leading investment bank headquartered in Chicago with offices in 20 cities on four continents. The firm’s interns receive a phenomenal learning experience, working on live deals alongside senior bankers and clients. Full-time junior bankers get many mentorship opportunities and valuable trainings, and there's a clear path to becoming a partner.
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SCORE 4.879
2020 Ranking #24
#24
Piper Sandler
Piper Sandler is a middle-market investment banking powerhouse. Its strong M&A unit works on high-profile deals and more mid-market transactions than almost every other investment bank in the U.S. What makes Piper Sandler unique is its people, who have deep industry knowledge and experience. The firm also places a unique focus on the physical and emotional well-being of its people.
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SCORE 4.848
2020 Ranking #25
#25
Wells Fargo & Company
Wells Fargo is one of the world’s largest and most valuable banking firms. It offers meaningful careers in fields ranging from investment banking and wealth management to data analytics and cybersecurity. At Wells Fargo, everyone has a voice. The bank is heavily invested in creating an inclusive culture that represents the communities it serves. It has active networking groups for women, LGBTQ+, veteran, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin, and Native American professionals.
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SCORE 4.640
2020 Ranking #26
#26
Macquarie Group (U.S.)
Macquarie is an investment banking powerhouse with Australian roots. The firm is a top-ranked M&A advisor and one of the world’s leading infrastructure and renewables asset managers. Macquarie offers its people a chance to grow and develop their skills while working on high impact deals in areas such as green energy, sustainable food supply chains, and social housing.
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SCORE 4.632
2020 Ranking #23
#27
Deutsche Bank AG
Deutsche Bank is a legendary Wall Street firm with inclusion at its heart. It’s part of the elite investment banking bulge bracket and has a long track record of working on the world’s most transformative deals. Based in Germany, DB is also known for its inclusive culture and focus on building the careers of LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, refugees, and women.
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SCORE 4.555
2020 Ranking #33
#28
BMO Capital Markets
BMO Capital Markets is an investment banking firm looking for hardworking candidates with strong academic records. The firm's internships offer students live deal experience, a rotational program, and the ability to attend client meetings. Full-time professionals have access to strong training programs and many policies promoting work/life balance.
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SCORE 4.487
2020 Ranking #27
#29
Solomon Partners
Solomon Partners is a leading investment bank that specializes in providing advisory services in sectors such as consumer retail, tech, media, and health care. Its client list includes Under Armour, SoulCycle, SiriusXM, Brooks Brothers, and Netflix. Solomon Partners has a culture that’s accepting of all groups of people, and the firm’s management encourages civic engagement and charitable donations, and promotes an open discussion of social challenges.
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SCORE 4.448
2020 Ranking #31
#30
LionTree Advisors, LLC
LionTree is a prestigious investment banking boutique that closes high-profile media and entertainment transactions. Recently, its growing M&A unit worked on the sales of Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House, Serial to the New York Times, and Stitcher to SiriusXM. LionTree is a small firm that offers big-deal experience, leading with credibility and conviction, adaptability and authenticity.
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SCORE 4.404
2020 Ranking #29
#31
Oppenheimer & Co.
Oppenheimer has a 140-year history of providing investment banking services to the world’s top companies. It recently closed deals for GoPro, Fiverr, Fubo, KKR, BlackRock, Lemonade, and LendingTree. Just like it works hard for its high-profile clients, it works hard to ensure its people thrive in its close-knit, collaborative culture, providing them with vast amounts of resources and training.
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SCORE 4.380
2020 Ranking #28
#32
Cowen Group
Cowen is a top investment bank that offers interns hands-on live deal experience and exposure to senior bankers and clients. Full-time junior bankers get access to a structured training program, an “apprenticeship” learning model, and many wellness benefits. Underscoring its commitment to diversity, Cowen recently created a new head of D&I position.
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SCORE 4.355
2020 Ranking #34
#33
BNP Paribas USA
BNP Paribas is one of the world’s largest—and most progressive—banking firms. It’s been named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign. It has resource groups dedicated to raising awareness of disability- and mental health-related issues. And its social and environmental goals are aligned with standards set by the UN and other leading organizations. Its offers rewarding career paths in data analytics, finance, IT, marketing, and more.
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SCORE 4.212
2020 Ranking #30
#34
HSBC North America Holdings
HSBC is an international, diverse, community-oriented global bank with roots that go back 150 years. Its worldwide staff speaks more than 144 languages, and the bank's offices are located in every financial center in the world. The firm has no less than eight employee network groups that actively promote DE&I within the firm, and community volunteering is a major focus.
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SCORE 4.208
2020 Ranking #32
#35
Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Raymond James is a leading financial services firms that specializes in wealth management, investment banking, and equity research. Internships are available in banking, financial advisory, IT, risk management, and more. Committed to D&I, Raymond James has active networking groups for women, minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and veterans.
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SCORE 4.181
2020 Ranking #37
#36
Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.
TPH is an investment bank that focuses on providing research, sales and trading, and M&A advisory services to the energy industry. Its clients have included Hess, Apache, Anadarko, and Kuwait Energy. TPH is owned by leading M&A investment bank Perella Weinberg Partners and offers excellent internships in its Houston office.
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SCORE 4.140
2020 Ranking #39
#37
Harris Williams
Harris Williams is an investment bank based in Virginia that specializes in M&A advisory. It’s been named “M&A Mid-Market Investment Bank of the Year” and “Investment Banking Firm of the Year” by Mergers & Acquisitions. The firm’s excellent internship program gives interns live-deal experience and exposure to senior management. Its culture is collaborative and open—the firm is very focused on diversity recruiting and mentorship, and has substantial D&I programs.
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SCORE 4.110
2020 Ranking #35
#38
Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
BNY Mellon is one of the world’s top asset management and banking firms. It was founded by first U.S. Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and one of the first banks to use computing technology. BNY's inclusive culture champions diverse viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences. The firm has specific goals prioritizing D&I in recruitment, retention, and advancement. BNY career paths include technology, AI, investment management, and risk management.
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SCORE 4.074
2020 Ranking #36
#39
Nomura
Nomura is global investment banking powerhouse based in Japan. The firm’s top-notch internship program gives students live deal experience, hands-on training, and the ability to rotate through various groups. Full-time junior bankers get lot of exposure to senior bankers and clients, and significant responsibility due to lean deal teams. Recently, Nomura has made a big push to recruit and retain more women and minorities.
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SCORE 4.025
2020 Ranking #38
#40
Baird
Baird is a highly respected middle-market investment bank looking for high-energy candidates. Baird interns work on live deals with experienced bankers, and interns’ mentoring opportunities and social events are excellent. Full-time junior bankers can take on as much responsibility as they can handle and also receive highly-rated mentoring opportunities.
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SCORE 4.019
2020 Ranking #40
#41
Stifel Financial Corp.
Stifel is a St. Louis-based investment bank that focuses on serving tjhe middle market. Although Stifel's roots go back 125 years, it still has the entrepreneurial culture of a startup. Stifel allows its staff to take initiative and welcomes new ideas. A diverse team is critical to its mission, and the firm insists on diversity, inclusion, respect, and engagement in all that it does.
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SCORE 3.983
2020 Ranking #45
#42
Cantor Fitzgerald
Cantor Fitzgerald is a leading force in equity capital markets. Its global client list includes 5,000 institutions, including many Fortune 500 companies. The firm also has strong M&A, fixed income, and asset management units. Cantor Fitzgerald looks for driven, intellectually engaged, team-oriented people with a strong desire to make an impact and work on challenging, exciting, and meaningful assignments.
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SCORE 3.935
2020 Ranking #42
#43
Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
U.K.-based NatWest, formerly known as Royal Bank of Scotland, is a leading global financial services firm. It offers investment banking (through NatWest Markets), commercial banking, credit cards, insurance, and more. Meaningful career paths are available in finance, technology, business strategy, and more. For students and young professionals, it offers several different internships, apprenticeships, and graduate programs.
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SCORE 3.906
2020 Ranking #41
#44
Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC
Deloitte Corporate Finance is the advisory arm of Big 4 accounting and consulting power Deloitte. DCF offers expert M&A and strategic advisory services to companies in progressive industries like clean tech, health care, environmental products, software, e-commerce, and communications technology. As part of the Deloitte family, you’ll receive best-in-class benefits while working alongside an incredibly diverse, talented group of people.
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SCORE 3.882
2020 Ranking #44
#46
EY Capital Advisors LLC (EYCA)
EY’s name on your resume opens doors. EY is one of the world’s most respected names in finance—one of the elite Big 4 professional services firms and known for its top-notch advice and forward-thinking workplace culture. Its prestigious financial advisory arm provides creative and innovative solutions by asking better, more insightful questions.
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SCORE 3.860
2020 Ranking #46
#47
Brown Brothers Harriman
Brown Brothers Harriman is one of the oldest private partnerships on Wall Street. It provides private banking and investment management services, and as a firm without outside shareholders, it can take a thoughtful, long-term approach to its business relationships. When looking for new hires, it values energetic, compassionate, curious, innovative thinkers with a strong desire to learn.
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SCORE 3.766
2020 Ranking #47
#49
TD Securities
TD Securities is a global investment banking powerhouse based in Toronto, with offices in major financial centers around the world. It regularly receives deal-of-the-year honors for its high-profile M&A and underwriting transactions. TD has an open, collaborative culture that promotes creativity, diverse perspectives, work/life balance, respect, and fun. TD is an investment bank where you’re free to be you.
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SCORE 3.627
2020 Ranking #Not Ranked
