Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Insider Guide
WetFeet, Inc.
101 Howard Street Suite 300 San Francisco, CA 94105 Phone: (415) 284-7900 or 1-800-926-4JOB Fax: (415) 284-7910 Website: www.wetfeet.com
Table of Contents
Citigroups Corporate & Investment Bank at a Glance. . . . . . . . . . 1 The Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Industry Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 More Industry Rankings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Organization of the Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
On the Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Investment Banking Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Capital Markets Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Public Finance Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 E-Business Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
The Workplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Lifestyle and Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Workplace Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Getting Hired. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
The Recruiting Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Interviewing Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Grilling Your Interviewer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
At a Glance
Citigroups corporate & investment bank 388 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10013 Phone: 212-816-6000 www.citigroupgcib.com
Primary Competitors
Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse First Boston, JPMorgan Chase, Lehman Brothers
Key Differentiating Factors
Power position. Citigroup became the biggest financial services firm in the world, with 3,400 locations in 100 countries, when it merged with Travelers in 1998. Separation of research and investment banking. Citigroup is the first big firm on Wall Street to voluntarily separate its research and investment banking functions, by creating a distinct new retail brokerage and equity research unit called Smith Barney. Distribution and cross-selling. Citigroup already commands one of the largest retail sales forces in the country. Now the firm can sell everything from Travelers insurance to Citibank credit to consulting on big M&A deals. Fixed income. The firm has tremendous strength in municipal tax-exempt bonds and collateralized and mortgage-backed securities.
At a Glance
To learn what the firm says about job descriptions, the opportunities it offers, and the qualities it looks for in employees, see Citigroups Global Corporate and Investment Bank website at www.citigroup.com/citigroup/oncampus/gcib.
In the Interview
Forcefully convey that you are hungry to work in this industry and at Citigroup more than anywhere else. Do your homework on whats going on in the firm. Find ways to demonstrate from your past work experience that you are reliable, hardworking, and assertive. Let your personality show. Dont be afraid to show that you have a life outside investment banking or that you have a sense of humor. Citigroup interviewers look for personable candidates with whom theyd want to spend many hours each week.
What Insiders Say
Everyone here wants to win. People feel a lot of momentum because of the new platform. There isnt a lot of hand-holding at Citigroup. Its a tough industry, and a lot of it you learn on your own. Know how serious it is. I underestimated the level of stress. If you have an opinion, you can express it. Step out of bounds. I always know whether or not Im doing a good job here, whereas at other places, you have to wait for your midyear review.
Career Ladder
Citigroup hires undergrads as analysts (sometimes called apprentices) for a two- to three-year program in the capital markets, sales and trading, fixed income, and global corporate finance divisions. MBAs are hired as associates and can choose from the capital markets; cash, trade, and treasury services; fixed income; global corporate finance; or investment banking divisions. Hiring for retail brokerages takes place at the local or regional level.
At a Glance
Note: The above numbers are the most current available; Citigroup does not release this information regularly. Source: WetFeet research.
Note: The above numbers are the most current available; Citigroup does not release this information regularly. Source: WetFeet estimates.
The Firm
Overview The Bottom Line Industry Position More Industry Rankings Organization of the Firm
The Firm
5
Overview
The Firm
With its formation in 1998 through a merger between insurance conglomerate Travelers and commercial banking heavyweight Citicorp, Citigroup left the industry shaken and stirred with its redefinition of the diversified financial services model. If imitation is flattery, Citigroup should feel warm and fuzzy as Street neighbors like JPMorgan Chase, UBS, and Deutsche Bank have plotted similar courses. The firm describes itself as a work in progress that got its legs in 2001, when Citigroup stood proudly as one of the biggest and baddest firms on the Street, untouchable and invincible (or so its analysts and managers seemed to think). It posted a healthy $83 billion in revenues in 2001, claiming double-digit gains in many businesses and a 20 percent return on equity. Its 272,000 employees dwarfed the staffs of many state capitals, and the company dominated the league tables, gaining market share in many financial sectors. In 2002, Chairman and CEO Sandy Weill was named CEO of the year by Chief Executive magazine. But a lot has changed since then. The firm has been scrambling to do damage control since 2002, beset as its been with inquiries into its investment banking units (then called Salomon Smith Barney) role in the Enron and WorldCom fiascoes. Ten Wall Street securities firms were fined a total of $1.4 billion, but it was Citigroup that got most of the heat (along with CSFB and Merrill Lynch), accused by regulators of issuing fraudulent research reportsit was slapped with the largest fine of $400 million. Like all of the other accused Wall Street firms, Citigroup neither admitted nor denied any wrongdoing. But the damage had been done. The firms reputation was tarnished, and its value diminished by $80 billion.
CEO Sandy Weill responded quickly and aggressively to these accusations (and their results on the firms bottom line). First, highflying telecommunications analyst Jack Grubman resigned (and was fined a hefty $15 million) for his involvement in the WorldCom and other scandals. Then Weill replaced Michael Carpenter, head of Citigroups Global Corporate and Investment Bank. Weill even apologized for Citigroup practices, which do not reflect the way we believe business should be done. And most important, Citigroups head honcho called for the separation of investment banking from research by absorbing Salomon Smith Barneys I-banking functions into Citigroups corporate & investment bank unit, and forming an independent equity
I have been reminded myself of how the appearance of what we do may be questioned and of how we must take care to ensure that our conduct does not raise such questions or in any way undermine our customers or shareholders confidence in the integrity of our business practices. CEO Sandy Weill
The Firm
research and retail brokerage unit called Smith Barney. Weill hired Sallie Krawcheck, a well-known Wall Street researcher with a gilded reputation, to head the new unit. But even these changes seem to pale in comparison to the July 2003 announcement that Sandy Weill will step down as CEO by years endan announcement that came as a surprise to Wall Street, as many thought Weill would only ever leave his post feet first. As his successor, Weill has appointed Charles Prince, who replaced Michael Carpenter as head of the corporate and investment bank and who worked with regulators to navigate a smooth course through the storm of accusations against Salomon Smith Barney. Prince will continue to lead Citigroups investment bank from his new CEO post. Weill plans to remain chairman of Citigroup until 2006.
Despite the beating it has taken, Citigroups investment bank, and the firm as a whole, seems to be pulling through fairly well. Weve picked up a lot of market share in M&A and equity over the last couple of years. Its a bad climate, but were doing better than our competitors, says one insider. Fundamental to its strategy are its global reach and strength in emerging markets; its diversified portfolio, which gives it resiliency in tough market conditions; and its huge balance sheet. In addition, its consumer group, identifiable by the ubiquitous Live Richly branding message, has performed well. With the company on the rise (again), the consensus among insiders is that Citigroup is a great place to work. Confidence in Citigroups business trajectory is a major contributor to the positive attitude. An insider says, People feel a lot of momentum here because of the platform and the products we offer. Insiders also speak glowingly of the relaxed culture. One says, Youll see Nerf balls on the banking floorsits fun to the extent that banking can be fun. Other insiders tell us they chose Citigroup because of the generalist program, which allows new associates to try a variety of things before choosing one business. Weve got the best rotational system around, which is great for people who are more open-minded about how their careers progress, according to one. A financial consultant insider says, Citi gives you a lot of freedom in how you create your business. Unlike other firms, there isnt pressure to sell a particular product. The gripes we heard were mostly garden variety: hours that are sometimes oppressively long, high stress, and too much bureaucracy. You have to be flexible. You have to expect to cancel a lot of things in your personal life. So when you do have time, make sure its quality time, says an insider. Another insider, a financial planner, finds fault with the repetition in his job: Every plan is different, but similar. The entire day, youre wrapped around the phone and in front of the computer.
The Firm
8
The Firm
9
Industry Position
The Firm
The economy has spared no one, but Citigroup has fared well in the league tables. It ranked first among bookrunners in terms of underwriting proceeds for the first half of 2003 and first for global debt issuance with more than $271 billion in deals. The firm has also kept its grasp on a top-three ranking in a number of other categories.
Proceeds ($M)
34,294 19,465 21,859 79,021 288,072 3,519 347 11,600 120,036 99,465
Share (%)
12.5 8.6 12.5 15.9 10.5 13.5 16.4 16.5 12.9 18.1
Market Leader
Citigroup Goldman Sachs JPMorgan Chase JPMorgan Chase Citigroup Goldman Sachs CSFB CSFB JPMorgan Chase Goldman Sachs
10
In this survey of equity analysts, Citibank (Smith Barney) took top honors for the second year in a row.
2003 All-Europe Research Team
11
The Firm
12
in 1988 into one of the largest and most profitable financial institutions in the nation, returning 35 percent on equity in 1996. As a tactical maneuver to eliminate conflicts of interest between research and the companys investment banking clients, Citigroup formed a separate and
The Firm
distinct research and private client company, flying under the restored Smith Barney moniker. Researchers, analysts, and associates are recruited and trained together by Citigroup before moving to their respective units. Citigroups corporate & investment bank is run by former Citigroup COO Charles O. Prince. Prince replaced Michael Carpenter in September 2002, during the New York State Attorney General Offices probe into the role of Salomon Smith Barney executives in the WorldCom scandal.
13
The Firm
you are within the firm and on your ability and skills. If youre an I-banker, you move up to vice president around your fourth year; then its on to director and managing director. Your contribution to your group and ability to bring in new business will determine how fast you climb the ladder. If youre a salesperson or trader, your progression is less formal and is measured more by the responsibilities you have and by the commissions you earn for the firm from your clients.
14
On the Job
Investment Banking Associate Capital Markets Associate Public Finance Associate E-Business Associate
On the Job
15
Typical Projects
Typical projects include structuring and executing financings; underwriting new
On the Job
municipal bond issues; and advising clients on mergers, acquisitions, and other financial activities. Due to Citigroups prominence in fixed income, municipalbond underwriting, and high-yield securities, these are areas associates learn about even if they dont actually participate in the specific projects.
The Work
In general, projects are assigned to teams of two to four people who work very closely with clients to address their needs. Associates get responsibility on client accounts from day one and work long hours and weekends. They also work on proposals (called pitch books) aimed at winning new clients or new projects with existing clients. Typical tasks include: Compiling, organizing, and analyzing financial data for client companies Producing charts, tables, and other supporting documents, and then creating proposals and presentations for client meetings Assessing company performance versus competitors or industry benchmarks Planning and executing public offerings, private placements, project financings, tender offers, and other corporate financial transactions
16
Advising clients on capitalization alternatives and implications, evaluating merger and acquisition opportunities, responding to solicitations from other firms, and preparing recommendations on financial strategies An MBA is an assumed prerequisite for joining Citigroup as an investment banking associate. Undergrads come to work in research as analysts and stay for two to three years; after that, they leave
Your success is determined by how hard you work, rather than someones opinion and whimsy.
the firm to attend business school or enter the industry. Analysts work alongside associates and officers in supporting roles. For example, they help create presentations and pitch books; assist in producing charts, tables, and statistical exhibits; and help research company peer-group information. Analysts can have a variety of undergraduate degrees, but all must have a facility for crunching numbers. Associates now join Citigroup as generalists and work with a number of product and franchise groups through structured rotations before settling on a specific area. This gives bankers a broader competence; consequently, associates help design their own curricula in various product groups and even in various regional and overseas offices, if appropriate. Insiders in I-banking say they appreciate the breadth of experience they gained in the generalist program.
On the Job
9:00
17
10:00 Meet with the project team. Try to sound intelligent without faking knowledge. Find out what others know and where to turn for additional research. Set timetable for getting back to client, and list action items to be completed in that time frame. A daunting amount of work. 11:45 Spend 15 minutes on the phone with a friend explaining once again why Im not able to go skiing this weekend, or the next, or the next. 12:00 Locate the clients financials for the last three years and work with analyst to put them in a spreadsheet for analysis before lunch. 1:00 2:00 3:00 Hit favorite deli for the usual take-out sandwich. Dig into past files of phone and networking companies to see how their situations were handled in the past. Build a scenario for debt refinancing that looks plausible, and run different interest-rate assumptions for ten years. Talk with another clients attorney about language in the S-1 document to be filed with the SEC for the clients upcoming IPO. Make travel arrangements to meet with potential new client who was referred by IPO client. Decide to run convertible-debt scenario for medical client as an alternative. More spreadsheets. Copy spreadsheet on convertible scenario to take home and play with again later. Make a note to go skiing at least once before the season ends. Hit the gym for a workout and a sauna. Back at the deskits time for take-out pizza and then a few more hours of wrestling with the numbers.
On the Job
18
On the Job
The Work
Responsibilities vary depending on whether an associate is involved in sales or trading. Traders are involved in: Position trading for institutional clients: finding buyers or sellers for specific securities or positioning block trades for clients on the open market Risk management: assessing market risks for clients looking to buy or sell specific securities Sector analysis: providing clients with advice from the research analysts in different sectors Capital management: working with clients to manage their balance sheets and to finance specific transactions
19
Salespeople are involved in: Account coverage: being available to handle the needs of specific client accounts at any time Relationship building: establishing long-term relationships with clients Product distribution: helping to distribute new issues Marketing: developing new institutional clients Client contact: Visiting with the clients to review their needs Supplying information to trading desks: obtaining feedback on marketability or prices of new issues
8:30
8:45 9:00
10:00 The price on Dow Chemical has dropped back into the recommended buy range. Check client accounts to see who might have room for some more. 1:30 2:40 Almost forgot! Late lunch with a client. Head downstairs and grab a cab. Back at desk, assess progress on Tandy stock. Still more accounts to call. Try that pension fund again. Need to bite the bullet and explain to their traders why that hot IPO is down 15 percent from where we said it would be three days agoprobably my least favorite part of this job.
20
3:00
Final hour. The market is heading higher. Better get hold of some people before prices get out of their range. The semiconductor analyst tells everyone that although the stocks are up today, they are still buys. Call two clients whove been waiting for that analysts opinion. Scramble to get a confirmation on a 10,000-share cross on the closing bell. Watch the tape intently to see it hit. Pop a Zantac and tell sales assistant never to recommend that Thai restaurant again. Call the travel agent before he leaves and arrange for client visits with our utility analyst. Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Waco, El Paso, and Amarilloall in two-and-a-half days! Finish making out list of tomorrows calls. Check all trade slips one more time for errors. Did they really say buy on that 30,000 Compaq?
4:00 4:15
5:30
11:00 Watch the news about the CPI numbers. Spend one wonderful moment basking in the knowledge that I accurately anticipated a favorable response in the semiconductor segment.
On the Job
21
On the Job
Typical Projects
Typical projects can involve hospitals, subsidized housing, resource recovery, or infrastructure work such as roads, bridges, or water systems.
The Work
Public finance associates are typically involved in the following: Helping determine the size and price of a new municipal bond offering Working with a municipality to raise its creditworthiness Evaluating the investment merits of various public sector projects Pitching the firm to government agencies for specific financing projects Analyzing the impact of various interest-rate scenarios on debt financings Like the investment banking group, public finance provides opportunities for non-MBAs to join in an analyst position. Analysts work with associates in analyzing and researching client projects and in creating pitch books.
22
E-Business Associate
Associates in the e-Business North America Management Associate Program get hands-on project experience and exposure to senior management. The program consists of two six-month rotational assignments in product management, sales, operations, finance, e-commerce, or strategic alliances, together with six weeks of formal classroom training.
On the Job
23
The Workplace
Lifestyle and Hours Culture Workplace Diversity Compensation Travel
The Workplace
25
The Workplace
or until 6:00 p.m. if youre in fixed income. Work is intense, and youll rarely be far from your computer or phone during trading hours. Youll have your nights, weekends, and holidays free, but many successful people in this area use some of that time to catch up on work-related reading. I-banking folks face a somewhat different workweek. The markets hours are less relevant, which theoretically means you can get to work whenever you wantbut which also means that the workday never really ends. Your days revolve around deadlines and meetings. When two, three, or four major things are happening simultaneously, life can definitely get hectic. In such cases, ten- to 14-hour days are the norm, and nights and weekends will become frequent parts of your workweek. Also, youll be out of the office visiting clients or companies fairly often.
26
Culture
Citigroup prides itself on being a melting pot. One insider says that its a decidedly noninsular culture, as a result of having bankers from so many legacy firms on board. Says another: Citigroups corporate & investment bank has people from a variety of walks of life. We dont have a cookie-cutter Ivy League staff. Another says, Theres a huge focus on diversity, which is what I love. It adds to a more thoughtful debate. Dont kid yourself, though: This is still an investment bank. You wont see many tattoos or Birkenstocks in the office herediversity has a narrower meaning on Wall Street than in the world at large. As an insider says, The big myth that theres a tremendous difference between different firms cultures is just thata myth. No matter where you work, at the end of the day, the person whos making the most money is serving the client best. And there are only a few ways to do that: attention to detail, attentiveness to the client, and creativity. Still, if youre set on going into investment banking, you should know that Citigroup, unlike some other banks, likes to hire people who have lives outside of the marketspeople who like skydiving or used to write for a magazine, as one insider tells us. Insiders speak fondly of the laid-back feeling at Citigroup. Youre expected to be yourself. We value individual contributions, says one insider. Another says, Its a sort of a work-hard, play-hard place where you like the people youre working with at 4:00 in the morning. Other insiders appreciate the firms emphasis on meritocracy. Your success is determined by how hard you work, rather than someones opinion and whimsy, says an insider.
The Workplace
27
We hear that different areas of the bank have different cultures. Its so different20 firms within one firm. The media group is very different from the automotive group . . . each has a different feel and different market dynamics, says one insider. Still, the firms overall culture seems largely derived from the old Salomon Brothers. An insider says that the firm retains Salomon Brothers aggressiveness: Its a little bit of the Wild West here. This is an intense place where theres a lot
When I have a deal, Im working 120 hours a week. Family and friends everythingwait until the deal is done.
of opportunity for people who arent afraid to reach out and grab it. Another insider says, Run with the ball. You have tons of resources, but its on you to figure them out. Difficult environment and recent scandals aside, Citigroup is an extremely exciting place to be right now. Citigroup pioneered the consolidated financial services modelwhat insiders call the platformso it is ahead of the game. Theres a lot of momentum in terms of gaining market share. Thats a big thing that gets people excited.
The Workplace
28
Workplace Diversity
Citigroup has been working hard on workplace diversity, perhaps in response to class action lawsuits in its past alleging gender discrimination and sexual harassment. For the most part, Citigroups efforts appear to be working. Some insiders speak glowingly of the firms diversity. Theres definitely a huge focus on diversity, which is what I love. You can be yourself, and different ideas and backgrounds are welcome. It adds to a more thoughtful debate. Another says, Theres a lot of ethnic diversity, women, and foreigners. Others are more realistic: As for diversity, its pretty good for the industry, but it definitely depends on the region. Its better than it was, but its still a white mans world.
The Workplace
29
named one of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers, by Working Mother magazine. However, adds one insider, people still joke, and you have to be strong enough to handle it. Still another insider says, In a meeting of 90 people, Ill be one of five women. For more on diversity at Citigroup, visit www.citigroup.com/citigroup/oncampus/homepage/diversity.htm.
Compensation
Citigroup says its compensation is competitive with others on the Street. WetFeet estimates that in 2002 to 2003, starting associates at the company received a base salary of $85,000, plus a sign-on bonus of $20,000 to cover relocation, and a year-end bonus of $25,000 for the initial year (which actually begins in August). Associates starting at Citigroup for the 2003 to 2004 season can expect similar compensation. The second-year bonus can equal or exceed the initial base salary, and things go up from there. For the first few years, compensation is fairly predictable on the I-banking side, where different employees work and responsibilities are somewhat similar regardless of industry specialization. On the sales and trading side, however, compensation varies based on measurable aspects of individual performance, such as sales volume from assigned clients or trading activity.
The Workplace
30
Travel
If youre in investment banking, youll probably be on a first-name basis with the firms travel agency. When deals are active, you could be flying out weekly to a client for meetings. I-bankers learn that personal evening and weekend plans are always subject to being bumped by a hot prospect, a road show, a hostile takeover attempt, or an unexpected crisis. One I-banking insider estimated that associates are on the road about 10 percent of the time, VPs about 20 percent. Staffers in other businesses tend to travel less. If youre in trading, generally your biggest work-related trips will be down the block to Starbucks for your caffeine fix. Client visits or the occasional golf outing will take salespeople out of the office every now and again. Financial planners travel locally to meet clients. According to an insider, M&A people do some domestic travel a couple times a month. It depends on whats going on. Some international travel for cross-border mergers.
The Workplace
31
The Workplace
Career Path
Career paths naturally vary according to your area of concentration, the location of your office, and the availability of openings. Investment banking associates have a fair amount of latitude and are expected to move around during their first two to three years. Once they settle into a specific banking area, theyre expected to progress on up to senior associate, vice president, and then managing director. As for moving across businesses, an insider says, There really isnt much lateral hiring. Maybe if theres a gap in one group, someone from another group will fill it, but its more of a directing resources situation than hiring and firing. The focus is more on mobility.
32
Investment banking requires an in-depth education in business finance, accounting, and quantitative analysis. Consequently, an MBA is still usually a requirement for a career in this industry. However, undergrads can begin as analysts working in the Smith Barney unit, spend a couple of years in that position, and then take their experience into related work or go back to school for an MBA. The firm asks new analysts for a two-year understanding, although theres no formal commitment from either side. But with increasing frequency, Citigroup now will apparently permit an analyst to remain in the program for a third year and in some cases become an associate after that. This seems to be particularly true in Capital Markets. For analysts who go back to school for their MBA and plan to return to Citigroup, the firm occasionally offers tuition assistance, including low-interest advances against future bonuses. Undergrads will find a more level playing field in sales and trading, where the skills required dont necessarily come from an MBA curriculum. Here its much easier for undergrads to rise up the ladder. The ladder is also somewhat shorter because there arent as many levels of hierarchy as in investment banking. College grads with almost any major can enter as apprentices and learn sales and trading from the ground up. After a number of months in classes and rotations, apprentices may be eligible for permanent sales and trading positions. Apprentices who can prove their worth on the trading desk can become full-fledged traders within a few short years. MBAs are expected to rise up through the ranks since theyre assumed to be the best educated and most capable. However, lateral movement can have an impact on career mobility, as can location. A generalist I-banker in New York, for example, could potentially have greater mobility than a technology I-banker in San Francisco because there are simply more options available for lateral movement in Manhattan. And with the firms generalist program, movement is encouraged during the first few years at Citigroup. A benchmark expectation is to become a managing director in seven or eight years.
The Workplace
33
Midcareer candidates already tend to have their direction well defined and are generally hired for the area most closely related to their previous experience. Nevertheless, they may move around at the outset if there isnt an obvious slot for them.
Training
Says a recruiting insider, We take great pride in the fact that most of our training classes are taught by managers and professionals within the organization. The general training program for graduates comprises five modules: an overview of Citigroup, M&A, equity, fixed income, and series 7 preparation. Training components include classroom education, presentations from industry experts
The Workplace
(both in and out of house), on-the-job rotations, and preparation for license exams. Training also includes less formal but no less important components such as mentoring, team-building exercises, and corporate cocktail parties and dinners.
I-banking associates participate in a six-month training program that gives an overview of Citigroup and covers security analytics, capital markets, M&A, and regulation. Associates are given ample opportunity to get to know their peers, as well as senior management through a mentoring program.
34
After the training program, associates go through a generalist program, which includes exposure to a variety of product and franchise groups, developing a broad banking competence, forming relationships within the firm, and gaining knowledge of all areas of the investment banking division. Generalists have input into designing their own curriculum of three 2-month rotations. Emphasis is placed on entrusting generalists with real responsibility. At the end of the first year, generalists choose a specialization.
Capital Markets Associates
New sales and trading associates now undergo a more generalist approach that enables them to educate themselves, according to one recruiting brochure. Dont worry, though; youre not going to swim out into open water your first weekthe training is structured into three phases. Phase one is Business Production School, which includes the same six weeks of classroom training that your friends in Ibanking get. In phase two, you part company with the I-bankers and go off to ten weeks of special classes in all aspects of sales and trading, plus some desk rotations. Phase three consists of yet more rotationsof longer duration; by now, youll have narrowed your top choices to three or four. This phase ends when youre picked for a job by one of your rotation desks.
Global Corporate Finance Associates
The Workplace
Before beginning the 29-month rotational program, associates participate in a three-month training program in New York City. The program builds on an understanding of financial statement reporting and develops the ability to analyze a companys financial information. The training curriculum includes financial accounting, analytics, cash-flow modeling, economics and capital markets, corporate valuation, industry overviews, research tools and Bloomberg, and series 7 and 63.
35
Insider Scoop
The Workplace
talking to insiders, especially in the context of a major investment bank. An insider says, Youd think its this huge place, which it is, I guess, but its got a small-firm feel. Another insider says, You feel like you know everyone you need to know, because the different groups work so closely together. And the firm seems to encourage individuality. If you disagree, talk about it. No ones expected to fit into a mold here, says an insider, while another says, We take our work seriously, but ourselves not too seriously.
Taking responsibility. Citigroup employees are given real responsibility from the
moment they sign on. Day one as an associate, youre expected to contribute,
36
says an insider. Oftentimes, that might mean responsibility for proofreading documents and creating spreadsheets, but for those who get it, the opportunities for advancement are all over the place. I like the fact that its me out there having meetings, attending road shows, having lunch with the clients, says one insider in sales. I have a great deal of personal interaction. Having fewer bankers means more client exposure. Associates have been directly involved with clients early on in their tenure. And when you do gain direct exposure at Citigroup, youre generally not lost in what one insider refers to as overteamingshowing up to meet a client with a small army of people.
Have it your way. By design, MBAs are moved around a good bit during the
first year or sowhen you eventually settle in, both you and your manager will have a higher degree of confidence that youre doing what youd really like to do. Moving around also tends to help people build relationships with other departments, something insiders say is more evident at Citigroup than at other firms. One insider says, The biggest reason I came here was the generalist program that doesnt force you to choose a group right away. I wanted to try a bunch of things and get a variety of experiences. Weve got the best rotational program around.
Less is more. Teams at Citigroup generally consist of two to four people rather
The Workplace
than the six to eight (at least) youll find elsewhere. And these teams are tight: Citigroup places much emphasis on creating teams that actually work well together. Thus, insiders feel that even though they usually progress in title at about the same rate as I-bankers at rival firms, they tend to get VP-level responsibility earlier because the teams are smaller and often more supportive.
Its the people, stupid. One insider involved in recruiting reports that he and his
colleagues go out of their way to ensure that new hires are a good fit with the bank. Consequently, people seem to admire each other at Citigroup. An insider says, One of the guys I work with just asked me to be the best man in his
37
wedding. Another says, People respect your time, because they want you to respect them. Though aggressive, the people at Citigroup seem to be nicer relative to those at some other Wall Street banks. One insider, who worked at two other top firms before coming to Citigroup (then Salomon Smith Barney), says, there are a lot of a-holes in investment banking, but that most bankers at Citigroup are actually good human beings.
Watch Out!
It still aint retail banking. Citibank commercial staffers more relaxed hours and
demands will have little effect on their corporate cousins. Investment banking is a highly demanding business that can be all-consuming if you let it. Preordained notions of free weekends and evenings do not apply to you, at least not at first. The flipside of all that work? As an insider says, The financial rewards are nice.
Big egos, little desks. Citigroup teams may be better than some, but theyre also
not immune to the occasional personality rift. One former employee notes: If you work on a desk, you are with these people all the time. You have to learn to
The Workplace
get along with all of them, but especially with your supervisor, or youll start hating work. Often theyre small groups. With very big egos. Its not easy. If youre not good at teamwork, this may be a difficult fit for you.
That shaky feeling. There are a lot of awfully confident-seeming people in
investment banking. Some of those people are blind with confidence. The smart ones, on the other hand, know that disaster is always out there waiting for them around the next corner. As an insider says, Theres more career risk [in I-banking] than there is in other industries. If something bad happens to the market, all of a sudden youre hearing about 3,000 people being laid off. Even with all of Citigroups riches behind it, its still an investment bank, part of an industry thats notorious for treating people like kings and queens when times
38
are good and discarding them like yesterdays newspaper when things turn soursomething to think about before making your career decision.
Size does matter. Bigger isnt always better. In some ways, it can be worse. For
instance, it can mean more bureaucracy and more politics. Being bigger has resulted in management challenges at Citigroup. One insider points out that there are now two more levels of management between him and the top echelons of the firm. He adds, Theres a little more politics. . . . Theres more of a sensitivity to what organization a person came from than to whether that individual is the right person for the job.
Kids? Ha! Citigroup offers a three-month maternity leave. But the realities of
working in financial markets are simply not compatible with the desire to have children. I cant say I know one successful woman with children, says an insider. Either they are single, married without children, or have children who are already grown. Its the nature of the business. You need to be there when the market is up. Another insider thinks its easier to juggle two lives the more senior you get. Some VPs are having children. Things change; sometimes career is not number one.
The Workplace
39
Getting Hired
The Recruiting Process Interviewing Tips Grilling Your Interviewer
Getting Hired
41
Getting Hired
campuses. The limited number of openings and the cost of sending multiple company representatives to each campus have apparently kept the program from expanding. Nevertheless, the firm is happy to accept inquiries from candidates at schools it doesnt visit. Citigroup claims that all unsolicited resumes are reviewed and that a number of candidates are selected for the
42
training program each year from other campuses in this manner. As you go through the process, remember that Citigroup likes people whose personalities are as attractive as their finance skills. An insider says, People are much less concerned with whether you can do the job than with whether they want to work with you. Fit is more important than you realize.
People are much less concerned with whether you can do the job than with whether they want to work with you. Fit is more important than you realize.
Getting Hired
43
Program
Investment Banking Sales & Trading Investment Banking Sales & Trading Investment Banking Sales & Trading Equity Research Capital Markets Investment Banking Sales & Trading Equity Research Capital Markets Investment Banking Investment Banking Sales & Trading Equity Research Investment Banking Investment Banking Sales & Trading Equity Research Investment Banking Sales & Trading Investment Banking Sales & Trading Investment Banking Sales & Trading Equity Research Capital Markets
Positions Interviewed
Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Summer Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Summer
Columbia
Darden Fuqua
Harvard Johnson
Getting Hired
44
Program
Investment Banking Equity Research Investment Banking Sales & Trading Capital Markets Investment Banking Equity Research Investment Banking Sales & Trading Equity Research Capital Markets Investment Banking
Positions Interviewed
Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Summer Full-Time, Summer Summer Summer Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Full-Time, Summer Summer Summer
Stanford Wharton
Yale
Source: Citigroup.com.
Getting Hired
45
Among unsolicited applications, referrals from within Citigroup definitely help a candidate land an interview. If you can get an inside edge, says an insider, it makes a difference. You might also help yourself get an interview if you take the initiative to come to New York rather than waiting for the company to fly you out based solely on the strength of your resume.
Getting Hired
Citigroup offers summer programs for MBAs in capital markets; cash, trade, and treasury services; fixed income; global corporate finance; and investment banking. Undergrads can participate in summer programs in capital markets, sales and trading, public finance, and investment banking.
46
Program
Investment Banking Investment Banking Sales & Trading Investment Banking Investment Banking Investment Banking Sales & Trading Capital Markets Investment Banking Fixed-Income Research Sales & Trading Capital Markets Investment Banking Sales & Trading Capital Markets Investment Banking Investment Banking Sales & Trading Capital Markets Investment Banking Sales & Trading Corporate & Investment Bank Sales & Trading Capital Markets Investment Banking Investment Banking Fixed-Income Research Investment Banking Capital Markets
Cornel
Dartmouth
Duke Georgetown
Harvard Howard
Getting Hired
47
Program
Corporate & Investment Bank Sales & Trading Investment Banking Investment Banking Investment Banking Sales & Trading Fixed-Income Research Capital Markets Investment Banking Fixed-Income Research Sales & Trading Capital Markets Investment Banking Sales & Trading Investment Banking Investment Banking Investment Banking Investment Banking Capital Markets Investment Banking Investment Banking
Source: Citigroup.com.
Princeton
Spelman Stanford Texas A&M UT Austin Virginia, University of Western Ontario, University of Yale
Getting Hired
48
The summer program exposes interns to all of the various departments. It also provides both the candidate and the firm a 12-week trial run. According to a recruiting brochure, We want our summer interns to be able to answer three questions at the end of the summer: 1. Is Wall Street for you? 2. Is [the department youre in for those 12 weeks] for you? 3. Is Citigroups corporate & investment bank for you? Besides introductory classroom training, summer interns attend Distinguished Speaker events every week to broaden their understanding of banking and of the firm. In the past, the firm generally has made permanent offers to about two-thirds of its summer interns. Of that group, about two-thirds generally accept. The remaining slots were filled with new graduates via the campus recruiting program. Given the increased competition for investment banking jobs, this ratio may have changed. A final tip: To get one of these positions, you have to apply early. If youre getting ready to enter an MBA program, you need to apply before you even start the program so you can participate in fall recruiting and be eligible for an intern position the following summer.
Getting Hired
49
Interviewing Tips
Its wise to remember just how competitive banking and trading positions are. Poise is important, and preparation is mandatory. As with its peers on the Street, Citigroups interviewing process is demanding. Its extreme, says an insider. Be ready for five to ten one-on-one or two-on-one interviews. There are no panel interviews. Your on-campus interview will most likely be with someone from the recruiting department at the firm, but others from various groups may also participate and will definitely be on your interview schedule if youre invited to Super Saturday.
Dos
Do your homework on the firm; this WetFeet Insider Guide is a great start. Demonstrate your commitment, willingness to sacrifice, and your eagerness to be a success at Citigroup. We look for people who would walk through walls to get something done, says a senior insider. Have a fluent, well-conceived explanation for why you want to get into this industry. Be personable. Dont be afraid to act human or admit your weaknesses. Have some specific ideas about things you think youd like to do and why you believe youd be good at them.
Getting Hired
Know why youd like to work at Citigroup. Be prepared to explain why youd prefer this firm to Morgan Stanley or Goldman Sachs, for example. Interviews often include ample time for you to ask questions. Rehearse interviewing your interviewers. Dress conservatively. This is still a career with a strong sense of tradition.
50
Little things count: Stand up when people walk into the room. Wait for them to sit down before you do. Make lots of eye contact. Be ready to prove youre up to date on industry news. Re-examine your resume for weak spots, and formulate a solid response theyll more than likely query you on it.
Donts
Dont be cocky or act like you know everything there is to know about investment banking. Dont try to fake something about banking or trading if you really dont know. Dont appear inflexible or unwilling to pay your dues for the first few years. Dont talk about compensation at all. Dont be afraid to call out distinguishing aspects of your background even if theyre unrelated to investment bankingCitigroup likes diversity. Dont admit that you dont follow the markets.
Getting Hired
51
Getting Hired
52
53
Recommended Reading
Articles
One Year Later, the Impact of Sarbanes-Oxley
A look at how the controversial Sarbanes-Oxley act has restructured the accounting and consulting industries, and what positive changes have actually taken place.
Source: Forbes, 7/22/03.
One of many reports on Weills surprising announcement that he will indeed be giving up his position at the helm.
Source: New York Times, 7/17/03.
This article details the growth of Sandy Weills empire, from an ousted president of American Express, to the head of the largest financial services firm in the United States.
Source: New York Times, 7/17/03.
Several more Citigroup brokers are under fire for alleged unfair sales practices over their handling of WorldCom employee accounts. The accused brokers are filing countersuits against Citigroup and Jack Grubman for inaccurate coverage of WorldCom.
Source: Forbes, 7/10/03.
54
Can Sallie Save Citi, Restore Sandys Reputation, and Earn Her $30 Million Paycheck?
Citigroup is so far the only bank on Wall Street to truly separate its research and investment banking functionsit went ahead and formed a distinct research and brokerage firm under the banner, Smith Barney. Chairman and CEO Sandy Weill surprised many by hiring 38-year-old Sallie Krawcheck to head this 530-branch unit. But coming from the much smaller boutique research firm Sanford C. Bernstein, with only 44 analysts, and 350 traders, salespeople, and assistants, does Krawcheck have what it takes?
Source: Fortune, 5/27/03.
After being accused of deceiving investors with tainted stock market research designed to win investment banking fees, ten Wall Street securities firms (including Citigroups Salomon Smith Barney unit) agreed to pay a combined total of $1.4 billion in fines and change the way they do business by separating stock market research from investment banking. Citigroup is paying $400 million, the largest amount. Former Salomon Smith Barney telecom analyst Jack Grubman is being barred from business and fined $15 million.
Source: CNNMoney Online, 4/28/03.
Citigroup Statement on Salomon Smith Barney Settlement with the SEC, NASD, NYSE and New York Attorney General
Citigroups official public response to the investigations surrounding its research practicesjust as the other Wall Street firms, Citigroup neither confirms nor denies any wrongdoing, but CEO Sandy Weill does apologize for shaking the public faith in his banking empire.
Source: Citigroup Press Release, 4/28/03.
55
News Publications
Three must-reads for investment bankersand anyone interviewing at Goldmanare the weekly Investment Dealers Digest (news, features, and industry rankings), the monthly Institutional Investor (news, issues, emerging trends), and the weekly Corporate Financing Week (corporate capital raising, M&A, and U.S. investment banking trends and insights). Other key publications include the The Wall Street Journal (if youre going into banking, itd be a good idea to start reading the newspaper that takes its name from the Street), Barrons, Investors Business Daily, and the Financial Times.
Books
The King of Capital: Sandy Weill and the Making of Citigroup
Amey Stone and Mike Brewster (John Wiley & Sons, 2000) A chronicle of Citigroup CEO Sandy Weills rise from a runner to a billionaire executive overseeing one of the worlds largest financial conglomerates.
Tearing Down the Walls: How Sandy Weill Fought His Way to the Top of the Financial World . . . and Then Nearly Lost It All
Monica Langley (Free Press, 2002) This colorful biography tells the story of Weills willful ascent to the top of the Wall Street echelon, his aggressive management style, and the melodrama and deceit that go with the territory.
Wall Street Meat: Jack Grubman, Frank Quattrone, Mary Meeker, Henry Blodget and me
Andy Kessler (Escape Velocity Press, 2003) A first-person biography of life on the Street working among some of the major players.
56
John Rolfe and Peter Troob (Warner Books, 2000) This book takes readers behind the scenes at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (absorbed in 2000 by Credit Suisse First Boston), depicting the ridiculous lengths that entry-level grunts on Wall Street can go to cope with long hours, stress, and despotic managers; fit in with their peers; and stand out in the eyes of those who can advance their careers.
Heard on the Street: Quantitative Questions from Wall Street Job Interviews
Timothy Falcon Crack (Timothy Crack, 2000) This book is indispensable if youre a PhD or other job candidate vying for a quantitative position (for example, derivatives analysis) on Wall Street.
Liars Poker: Rising Through the Wreckage on Wall Street
Michael Lewis (W.W. Norton & Company, 1989) This fun, easy read provides tremendous insight into the culture of Salomon Brothers, sales and trading, and Wall Street in general during the boom of the 80s. Youll also learn a fair amount about how investment banking works. Though much has changed since this era, the personality types remain exactly the same.
57
The Numbers
Citigroup Net IncomeSegment View
Net Income ($M) Q1 2003 Q2 2002
Global Consumer Global Corporate and Investment Bank Global Investment Management Net Income 2,146 1,431 466 4,103
Source: Citigroup.com.
58
12/01
112,022 54,320 48.5 14,284
12/00
111,826 58,540 52.3 13,519
Source: Hoovers.com.
Personnel
59
Et Cetera
Key People
Sanford I. Weill, Chairman Charles O. Prince, CEO, Citigroup Hans Prince, CFO, Global Corporate & Investment Bank Sallie L. Krawcheck, Chairman and CEO, Smith Barney Robert Druskin, Chief Operations and Technology Officer; President and COO, Global Corporate and Investment Bank Robert R. Morse, Head, Global Investment Banking Thomas G. Maheras, Vice Chairman, Corporate and Investment Bank and Head, Global Fixed Income Michael Klein, CEO, Global Corporate and Investment Bank, Europe, Middle East, and Africa Stephen H. Long, CEO, Asia Pacific, Global Corporate & Investment Bank Shirish Apte, CEO, Global Corporate and Investment Bank, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa; Country Head, Poland John Donnelly, Senior Human Resources Officer, Global Corporate and Investment Bank
60
Recruiting Contacts
Citigroup has very specific recruiting contact information online. Americas: www.citigroup.com/citigroup/oncampus/gcib/contacts/a_contacts.htm Japan: www.citigroup.com/citigroup/oncampus/gcib/contacts/j_contacts.htm Asia-Pacific: www.citigroup.com/citigroup/oncampus/gcib/contacts/ap_contacts.htm Europe: www.citigroup.com/citigroup/oncampus/gcib/contacts/e_contacts.htm
61
Getting Your Ideal Internship Job Hunting A to Z: Landing the Job You Want Killer Consulting Resumes! Killer Cover Letters & Resumes! Killer Investment Banking Resumes! Negotiating Your Salary & Perks Networking Works!
INTERVIEW GUIDES
Ace Your Case: Consulting Interviews Ace Your Case II: 15 More Consulting Cases Ace Your Case III: Practice Makes Perfect Ace Your Case IV: The Latest & Greatest Ace Your Case V: Return to the Case Interview Ace Your Interview! Beat the Street: Investment Banking Interviews Beat the Street II: I-Banking Interview Practice Guide
CAREER & INDUSTRY GUIDES
Careers in Accounting Careers in Advertising & Public Relations Careers in Asset Management & Retail Brokerage Careers in Biotech & Pharmaceuticals Careers in Brand Management Careers in Consumer Products Careers in Entertainment & Sports Careers in Human Resources Careers in Information Technology
Careers in Investment Banking Careers in Management Consulting Careers in Manufacturing Careers in Marketing & Market Research Careers in Nonprofits & Government Agencies Careers in Real Estate Careers in Supply Chain Management Careers in Venture Capital Consulting for PhDs, Doctors & Lawyers Industries & Careers for MBAs Industries & Careers for Undergrads
COMPANY GUIDES
Accenture Bain & Company Boston Consulting Group Booz Allen Hamilton Citigroups Corporate & Investment Bank Credit Suisse First Boston Deloitte Consulting Goldman Sachs Group J.P. Morgan Chase & Company Lehman Brothers McKinsey & Company Merrill Lynch Morgan Stanley 25 Top Consulting Firms Top 20 Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals Firms Top 25 Financial Services Firms
Who We Are
WetFeet is the trusted destination for job seekers to research companies and industries, and manage their careers. WetFeet Insider Guides provide you with inside information for a successful job search. At WetFeet, we do the work for you and present our results in an informative, credible, and entertaining way. Think of us as your own private research company whose primary mission is to assist you in making more informed career decisions. WetFeet was founded in 1994 by Stanford MBAs Gary Alpert and Steve Pollock. While exploring our next career moves, we needed products like the WetFeet Insider Guides to help us through the research and interviewing game. But they didnt exist. So we started writing. Today, WetFeet serves more than a million job candidates each month by helping them nail their interviews, avoid illfated career decisions, and add thousands of dollars to their compensation packages. The quality of our work and knowledge of the job-seeking world have also allowed us to develop an extensive corporate and university membership. In addition, WetFeets services include two award-winning websites (WetFeet.com and InternshipPrograms.com), Web-based recruiting technologies, consulting services, and our exclusive research studies, such as the annual WetFeet Student Recruitment Survey. Our team members, who come from diverse backgrounds, share a passion about the job-search process and a commitment to delivering the highest quality products and customer service.
Careers/Job Search
Citigroup is the largest financial services firm in the world and has single handedly transformed the financial services industry by introducing a new
platform on which to do businessone that offers a full range of financial products to all levels of customers, from consumers to corporate institutions. The firms size and diversity offer job seekers a wide range of opportunitiesmany of them high-rankingamid a relaxed and individualistic corporate culture. For bankers who arent afraid to work hard, who want to blaze their own trails, and learn as they go, Citigroups Corporate & Investment Bank is a great place to be.
WetFeet has earned a strong reputation among college graduates and career professionals for its series of highly credible, no-holds-barred Insider Guides. WetFeets investigative writers get behind the annual reports and corporate PR to tell the real story of what its like to work at specic companies and in different industries. www.WetFeet.com