How does the analyst experience at Citi compare to other bulge brackets?

Having worked at Citi, I’d say the analyst experience at Citi is often described as slightly more balanced compared to other bulge brackets like BofA or JPMorgan, but it still demands long hours and a high level of commitment. Citi’s global platform offers broad deal exposure, especially in international markets, which can provide valuable experience early on. While the culture tends to be somewhat less intense than JPM or BofA, the workload remains demanding, with periods of heavy crunch time typical across the industry.

Deal flow at Citi might be a bit more varied due to its global reach, giving analysts exposure to cross-border transactions and diverse sectors. However, hours can fluctuate depending on the team and location, so it’s important to prepare for intense stretches. Overall, Citi balances a rigorous learning environment with slightly more work-life balance compared to some of its bulge bracket peers, but the expectations and pace remain very high.

Hey there, 

A few of my coaching clients have gone through Citi, BofA, and JPM, and from what they’ve shared, Citi tends to offer really solid deal exposure, especially if you're in one of the stronger groups like TMT or Healthcare. 

Culture-wise, it’s often described as a bit more laid-back compared to JPM, but that varies a lot by group. In terms of hours, it's still banking, so expect long hours either way. 

Let me know if you have further questions or if I can support in your preparation. 

Hey!

Natalie already shared some solid points about deal exposure and groups. From my perspective, I can add a bit more personal insight:

I know someone who went through Citi’s analyst program, and from what they told me, the hours are definitely intense (no surprise there, it’s banking) but the culture felt a bit more collegial compared to some other bulge brackets. I’d guess it really depends on the team, though. Some groups at Citi operate almost like boutiques, with strong mentorship and a supportive vibe.

I’ve also heard that Citi tends to give analysts responsibility early on, especially in deal execution. If that’s important to you, that could be a big advantage compared to, say, BofA, where things sometimes feel a bit more formal and structured.

Good luck! ☺️

Hi There!

Citi offers a strong analyst experience, especially for those looking for early exposure to global deals and a broad client base. The firm is known for its reach across markets and sectors, so you’re likely to work on cross-border transactions and get a good mix of M&A and capital markets exposure. Compared to some other bulge brackets, Citi analysts often get meaningful responsibility early, particularly in leaner teams where juniors are trusted to take ownership of key parts of the process.

In terms of hours, Citi is still a high-intensity environment like most top investment banks, but the culture tends to be slightly more balanced than some of its peers. Analysts at BofA or JPM may see similar deal flow and hours, though the experience can vary significantly by group. What often stands out at Citi is the firm’s emphasis on internal mobility and professional development, which can be valuable as you think beyond the first few years. If you like the platform and the people you've met during the process, that’s usually a good sign you're in the right place.