With its bustling startup scene and proximity to Silicon Valley, San Francisco has become a major hub for investment banking in recent years. Major banks like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America all have a strong presence in the Bay Area. Students looking to break into investment banking will find plentiful opportunities in San Francisco across various sectors such as technology, healthcare, real estate, and more. The competitive nature of the field still remains, but those willing to hustle and network aggressively can land top investment banking jobs in the city.
Prestigious Banks Offering Jobs in San Francisco
Many of the most prestigious investment banks have major offices and operations in San Francisco. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, and Citi are some of the bulge bracket banks with investment banking jobs in San Francisco. Boutique banks like Evercore Partners, Moelis & Company, and Houlihan Lokey also recruit heavily in the area. The deals tend to focus on technology, internet and digital media, healthcare and life sciences. Strong technical skills in valuation and financial modeling are must-haves when trying to break in.
Various Sectors Provide Diverse Opportunities
Beyond the typical tech and internet companies that dominate the startup scene, investment banking jobs in San Francisco also exist in other sectors. For example, theBay Area has become the epicenter of biotech and is home to companies like Genentech, Gilead Sciences and Moderna. Real estate investment banking opportunities can be found at Eastdil Secured, a real estate focused bank. Infrastructure banks like KKR have a presence for candidates interested in infrastructure investment banking. Across equity capital markets, M&A advisory, leveraged finance and more, there is great diversity in the sectors providing jobs.
Aggressive Networking Is Key to Breaking In
While San Francisco investment banking provides diverse and plentiful opportunities, breaking in remains very competitive. Students at target schools like UC Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia and other elites have an advantage in recruiting. But others can break in through aggressive networking and hustling. Many alumni work at banks and startups in the city and can be tapped for informational interviews and referrals. Attending events, conferences and other networking activities is crucial. Joining clubs like the Berkeley Finance Association also helps build a network.
Ideal for Those Willing to Hustle and Build New Fields
San Francisco’s entrepreneurial and pioneering spirit makes it well-suited to those interested in building new fields within investment banking. For example, many technology investment banks like Union Square Advisors, Qatalyst Partners and Progress Partners have been built in the Bay Area. Cryptocurrency and blockchain are new areas where San Francisco provides opportunities. The innovative culture rewards hustlers who network hard and tap alumni in the ecosystem.
With prestigious banks and diverse sectors represented, San Francisco offers plentiful investment banking opportunities. But a competitive nature and emphasis on elite backgrounds means aggressive networking is essential for breaking in. The Bay Area rewards those willing to build new fields and tap the innovative startup ecosystem.