Top shops in Chicago 2024

What are the top shops in Chicago for 2024? I know Credit Suisse was highly regarded, but are there any places that make the list other than Greenhill, PWP, Goldman, Evercore, and Moelis? I know Guggenheim has shown tons of growth recently.

 
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Raymond James has their FIG group headquartered there, and then I believe also has a tech and industrials in that office as well. Tech is their strongest but the other groups have had good deal flow as well

 

Could you share why they aren’t doing good? Genuine question and want to see what their overall sentiment is as of late

 
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As mentioned above, the middle market banks (Houlihan, Baird, Blair and Lincoln) have the biggest presence. All of those have a significantly larger and more active presence in Chicago than the ones you asked about (besides maybe Guggenheim). I know Citi used to have a fairly large Chicago office, but not sure how that has changed the last handful of years. Not sure about Credit Suisse. Below is some info on the ones you listed. Most are focused on industrials. 

  • Greenhill - industrials
  • PWP - essentially only industrials 
  • Goldman - industrials; also has at least part of their middle market team there ("Cross Markets Group"); maybe parts of other groups too?
  • Evercore - essentially only packaging
  • Moelis - industrials
  • Guggenheim - not as familiar, but yes as you point out, they have focused on growing the Chicago office and I imagine it is much more active than any of the above
 

I know Moelis Chicago is a healthy mix of FIG, C&R, and Industrials…Guggenheim‘s PEAG is also very strong in Chicago, doing mostly tech sell-sides. I think Gugg CHI would be a great place given that they’re HQ’d between there and NY. Also Goldman has FIG in Chicago too

 

Worth mentioning that being in Chicago is a huge plus for RX. Massive RX professional hub to join and partake in events as well to network. 

 

RX community is more than the IBs - it’s lawyers, consultants, advisors, asset based lenders, alternative lenders, etc. 

 

A sweaty bank with a pretty strong frat culture. If you're asking about BGL your options probably arent good, but I would still recommend looking elsewhere unless youve been laid off 

I know a lot of folks who went to work there, but I have not heard many people speak highly of their time there
Edit: the amount of MS I receive directly correlates to the number of Analysts currently trapped at BGL 

 
Funniest

Lmao a VP from BGL came to my school for a presentation and told us he is “the best TMT banker in the world”

No exaggeration

 

Can confirm. They’ve built a new office near Willis Tower, business is going solid for them. Have friends there who say their LevFin desk is on fire (in a good way), other coverage groups fairly busy as well. M&A not as busy due to rates.

 

Don't know a whole lot about Mesirow but Baird is decent depending on the group. 

Industrials is Baird's best group and routinely hits above their weight, consumer is a lifestyle group, and healthcare is not all that good from what I hear.

 

Chicago Evercore is a really small group, around 15 employees total. Strictly do Paper and Packaging deals. Culture there is phenomenal however would definitely give them a look.

 

Houlihan Lokey food & beverage is probably still good, but you’ll get taken to the cleaners during your time there. Their healthcare services team is also a factory of PPM deals.

JPM, at least as of five years ago, had an industrials team with a good book of clients. Active around Detroit/automobile aftermarket

 

I know a guy in HL Chicago, Bonuses are apparently crazy and hours never top 70. Not sure how true this is but I would give it a look. 

 

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