Top Investment Banks in the UK 2026 – Start Your Career in IB Now!
Key Takeaways
Only a few banks dominate UK investment banking: Top bulge brackets and elite boutiques offer the strongest deal flow, reputation, and exit opportunities.
Your choice of bank shapes your career: Bulge brackets provide global exposure, while boutiques often deliver earlier responsibility and steeper learning curves.
Breaking into IB in London is extremely competitive: Securing an offer requires targeted preparation, strong applications, and interview-ready technical skills.
There are about 161 investment banking firms in the UK, but only a few stand out as industry leaders. These top firms boast the strongest deal flow, highest IB revenue, competitive analyst compensation, and global reputation.
In this article, we’ll focus on the best IB firms in the UK. We will highlight their market reputation, deal exposure, exit opportunities, core industry strengths like M&A and capital markets, and other career-impacting factors. Keep reading to identify the employers best aligned with your career goals whether you’re applying for investment bankinginternships, spring weeks, or graduate analyst roles.
Investment banks offer important financial services to government entities, companies, institutional investors, and high-net-worth individuals. These essential IB services include:
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory
Equity capital markets (ECM)
Debt capital markets (DCM)
Underwriting
Asset management
Sales and trading
Equity research
Restructuring
By providing these services, investment banks enable UK-based companies to expand, operate more efficiently, and raise capital. This contributes to the overall health of the UK financial market and economy. Also, the influence of UK investment banks extends beyond the country's borders, impacting financial markets across Europe and the broader EMEA region.
The best investment banking firms to work for in London and other cities in the UK include well-known names in the bulge bracket category like Barclays, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Citi, and Morgan Stanley. These are the most prestigious investment banks in the UK and they have very competitive selection processes. But having their names on your resume can be a golden ticket to securing the best opportunities throughout your career.
Elite boutiques and the best middle-market investment banking firms like Evercore, Rothschild & Co, Jefferies, and Lazard are also considered as great places to work. Let’s explore these and more firms in detail below.
Top Bulge Bracket Investment Banks to Work for in the UK
JPMorgan Chase
This wall street IB firm is one of the most respected financial institutions in the world. It often tops the league tables in various categories like M&A advisory, investment banking fees, equity and debt capital markets.
Analysts working at JPMorgan Chase get significant exposure to highest-profile transactions that prepare them for an outstanding career. Granted, you’ll have great exit opportunities. But the firm also offers opportunities for a long-term career. There are also training and mentorship programs for career development.
Goldman Sachs
Another bulge bracket firm that needs no introduction is Goldman Sachs. The acceptance rate for Goldman Sachs in the UK is notably low due to many applicants for any single role. However, it’s worth trying to get in as it can offer a rewarding investment banking career. You might just be the one that gets hired.
The work environment is extremely fast paced as you’d expect with any of the largest investment banks in the country. Getting a summer analyst role or an off-cycle internship is often the most direct path into a full-time investment banking analyst role at the firm.
Some of the most high-profile M&A acitivities in the region often bear the signature of Morgan Stanley. The bank consistently ranks in the top five in European M&A advisory and equity capital markets (ECM) deals.
Globally, Morgan Stanley has a history of advising on major deals including Elon Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of Twitter in 2022. As a result, investment bankers working here get strong deal exposure across M&A advisory and capital raising.
Bank of America is a strong option for M&A advisory in the UK and debt capital markets (DCM). The bank has also been expanding its equity capital markets (ECM) footprint in Europe.
Barclays
Barclays is one of the best investment banks to work for in London, especially as you advance to senior roles. That’s because the bank was the first to lift the EU bonus cap meaning senior bankers at the firm can have higher bonuses up to 10 times their fixed pay. Previously, bankers could only get bonuses about two times their salaries. Barclays is also active in several high profile deals across Europe especially M&A and ECM deals.
Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank sometimes makes headlines in Europe with its involvement in outstanding deals that influence industries like telecom, energy, steel, and infrastructure. One of the standout transactions is the €8 billion acquisition of Vodafone Italia by Swisscom, approved by the Italian government in May 2024.
Another one is Porsche's €9.1 billion IPO in 2022, which was voted as ECM Deal of the Year. It was the largest IPO in Europe in over a decade by market capitalization. Participation in such deals adds to the firm’s reputation and showcases prowess in managing high-stakes equity capital markets transactions.
UBS Group
After the historic merger with Credit Suisse in 2023, UBS is still doing well in Europe IB league tables. The bank usually ranks well, typically top 10, in the ECM and announced M&A deals in the region. You can step into UBS London through their early career programs including apprenticeships, insight programs, placements, and internships.
Citigroup
If you want to specialize in energy, technology (TMT), or healthcare, Citi might be the investment banking firm for you. It often engages in high-profile transactions in these sectors. To solidify the bank’s position, Global Finance magazine named Citi the “World’s Best Investment Bank for Power/Energy” in its 2025 awards.
The Best Boutique & Middle-Market Investment Banks in the UK
BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas is a major European investment bank in London. It has activity across ECM/DCM and advisory, often appearing on high-profile UK and European deals including:
Porsche’s €9.1bn IPO (as a senior joint bookrunner)
€6.85bn DigitalBridge and Brookfield’s majority stake in GD Towers
€2.5bn Iberdrola’s inaugural syndicated water footprint credit line
€3.57bn takeover of Royal Mail's owner (IDSI.L)
Centerview Partners
The easiest way to join Centerview Partners, like with most banks, is through the summer internship program. If your performance during the internship impresses the management, the odds of getting an offer to join the firm’s analyst program are high.
You can lookout for Centerview’s insight event that typically happens in London to learn more about an investment banking career at the firm, the culture, and more.
Ernst & Young
While EY is not a pure-play investment bank, it has an investment banking practice focused on M&A advisory. Investment bankers would view working here as valuable experience if you join the M&A advisory services division, not the transaction advisory services (TAS) group.
When it comes to reputation, EY is one of the "Big Four" professional services firms, along with Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC. So it's highly respected globally.
Evercore
Typically, you'll see Evercore in high profile deals alongside the bulge bracket investment banking firms. For instance, Evercore, J.P. Morgan, and Deutsche Bank were the lead financial advisors in Swisscom's €8 billion Acquisition of Vodafone Italia.
Houlihan Lokey
While it may not be as prestigious as bulge bracket firms, Houlihan has a solid reputation in the mid-market, especially for restructuring and advisory services. It typically advises on several transactions valued under £1 billion, with many in the £100-200 million range. So, it ranks higher in deal volume, not transaction value.
HSBC Holdings
This one is a perfect fit if you want to major in ESG investment banking. HSBC has a strong presence in sustainable finance, and is a major IB player in Europe. Just like Houlihan, HSBC is the place for executing transactions often valued under £1 billion.
Jefferies
Jefferies is widely regarded as the strongest “bulge bracket challenger” due to its aggressive growth. The bank has been hiring more managing directors in investment banking to grow its competitiveness in IB products, making it a good opportunity for those looking for seniors positions.
Lazard
Lazard is one of the most prestigious investment banks in the UK and Europe. In the UK, it consistently ranks among the top advisors for mergers and acquisitions, especially in deal volume and value. Some of the transactions that show Lazard’s UK market presence include:
Mollie’s $3.4 billion acquisition of GoCardless
Cinven’s 1.1 billion acquisition of Artefact
Disposal of Hammerson's interest in Value Retail in a $1.9 billion transaction
Moelis
Another prominent boutique investment bank in the UK worth checking out is Moelis. Its investment banking presence and deal flow are more limited compared to larger firms and elite boutiques. But it's still considered a good IB firm to work for in London especially for those interested in restructuring (Rx) deals and capital markets transactions.
Nomura
Nomura's influence in the region is growing though not to its influence levels in Asia. Sometimes it can be overshadowed by larger European banks. If you're not choosing between Nomura and a bulge bracket or elite boutique, it can be a solid place to start a career in investment banking.
Perella Weinberg Partners
For the summer analyst internship, Perella Weinberg UK aims to find candidates who will progress to full time analysts, associates, and beyond. So it's a good place for career development if you're interested in a long-term investment banking career. Some examples of the deals PWP handles include €17.5B acquisition of stake in Deutsche Telekom’s German and Austrian Tower Business and €29B Combination with Deutsche Wohnen.
PJT Partners
Are you interested in restructuring rather than M&A? If so, PJT partners is one of the best firms you can check out. It's a top choice for restructuring, pays well, and has good exit opportunities.
The bank has been active in Europe, advising on significant restructuring deals. These include the Adler Group's €6.7 billion debt restructuring and advising creditors of Spanish steelmaker Celsa and French firms Orpea and Casino.
RBC Capital Market
RBC excels in M&A, equity research, and debt capital markets in the UK. Euromoney named RBC Capital markets “North America’s Best Bank for Research” in late 2025. Perhaps the most notable recognition for RBC is being named a “Top 30 Employer for Working Families” in the UK for the eighth consecutive year in 2025.
Rothschild & Co
Rothschild & Co UK is an independent advisor that primarily focuses on mid-market transactions. The firm consistently ranks as the #1 investment bank in Europe by deal count. So, instead of working on one mega deal for 12 months as with the biggest firms, you can end up working on five to 10 smaller deals in the same period.
Wells Fargo
The US investment bank, Wells Fargo, has been making efforts to expand its influence in European debt capital markets. So, if DCM is the area of IB you're hoping to work in, you can give it a look. They are the go-to firm for UK and European companies, like Nationwide or NatWest, looking to issue debt in US dollars otherwise known as Yankee bonds.
How Can You Find the Right Investment Bank to Work for?
The firm you choose can significantly impact the success of your investment banking career. Here are some of the factors to consider when selecting an IB firm to work for.
Career goals: Think about what you want to achieve with your investment banking career. Consider short and long-term goals and choose a firm that aligns with your ambitions and values.
Deal flow and exposure: The type of deals and sectors an investment bank specializes in can shape your expertise and career trajectory. Also, the deal flow will determine the volume and value of transactions you'll handle while at the firm.
Prestige: Larger and well-known firms offer access to high-profile deals, which can provide valuable experience and networking opportunities. The quality of exits often depend on the bank's reputation and connections.
Culture and work environment: A career in investment banking is known for long work hours, but the amount of time you'll need to put in weekly can vary by firm. Consider if the firm offers flexible work arrangements or remote work options.
Networking and mentorship: Research the firm's levels of career progression and opportunities for advancement. Building strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and industry professionals can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable mentorship.
Compensation and benefits: Compare compensation packages across different firms, especially those ranked on the same level of prestige and deal flow.
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Key Takeaways
If you want to start a career in investment banking in the UK, targeting the top bulge bracket and boutique firms can offer a rewarding finance career. These top investment banks in the UKinclude Barclays, JP Morgan, BofA, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, UBS, Goldman Sachs, Citi, BNP Paribas, Centerview, Evercore, Lazard, and Jefferies. They have major London investment banking offices and structured analyst programs, graduate schemes, and internships.
Common Questions About Investment Banks in the UK 2026
No. While a degree in Finance, Economics, or STEM is common, UK investment banks actively recruit from all disciplines, including History, Law, and Languages.
For most top-tier banks in London, applications for IB Graduate Schemes typically open between August and October for the following year's intake. Deadlines often fall between late October and early January, but off-cycle programs run throughout the year.
Yes, but it requires networking and early efforts like securing a Spring Week in your first year to bridge the gap. Target universities, like LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial, see heavy on-campus recruiting but investment banks also offer student and graduate programs to diversify intake.
For students and graduates, bulge bracket banks offer strong training and brand recognition, while elite boutiques provide earlier responsibility and lean deal teams. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize prestige, deal volume, or specialization.
Bulge Bracket banks, like Barclays, are full-service institutions offering everything from M&A advisory to retail banking and credit cards. Elite Boutiques, such as Lazard, focus almost exclusively on high-value M&A and restructuring advisory.
