Investment banking is one of the most competitive yet lucrative industries for graduates and professionals in Los Angeles. With UCLA, USC, and Caltech producing a large number of talented candidates each year, there are many investment banks of different sizes and specializations in LA. Some prominent firms include JP Morgan, Lazard, Credit Suisse, and Wells Fargo, each with diverse industry coverage and focus on certain products. While the top-tier bulge bracket firms tend to recruit primarily at target schools like Ivy Leagues, smaller boutiques seek out candidates from a wider range of universities with outstanding qualifications. Overall, the investment banking scene in Los Angeles is diverse and dynamic, offering opportunities for graduates with different educational backgrounds.
Top investment banking firms in Los Angeles have broad industry and product expertise
Los Angeles is home to investment banking powerhouses like JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, and Lazard. These bulge bracket firms have extensive industry coverage across technology, healthcare, consumer & retail, and energy & infrastructure. They also offer diverse products including M&A advisory, equity & debt capital markets, leveraged finance, and restructuring. Smaller firms such as Evercore, Moelis & Company, and Houlihan Lokey have specific niches in M&A and restructuring advisory. Boutiques like Imperial Capital specialize in certain sectors like aviation, aerospace, and transportation. Overall, top investment banks in Los Angeles leverage the region’s vibrant economy and have in-depth expertise across various industries and products.
Recruitment by investment banks target top universities but also consider specialized skills
The major feeder schools into investment banking in Los Angeles are UCLA, USC, Caltech, UC Berkeley, and Stanford. Recruitment is highly competitive at these target universities, with students needing to demonstrate outstanding academic performance, financial modeling skills, and leadership experience. Smaller boutiques also seek out prospects from a wider range of schools including Pepperdine, LMU, and Claremont McKenna. Ultimately, while pedigree matters, boutiques evaluate candidates based on technical abilities like financial statement analysis and valuation modeling. Recruiters also assess soft skills like work ethic, communication, and interest in the firm’s niche. Therefore, students from non-target schools can break into investment banking in LA through self-study, networking, and articulating their passion.
Los Angeles offers diverse investment banking opportunities across firms and candidate backgrounds. Bulge brackets leverage LA’s sector strength while boutiques specialize. Recruitment balances pedigree with skills. Self-driven candidates can succeed from non-targets.